The Ballroom Distraction
From Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson
April 28, 2026 · 9 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the DOJ's demand regarding a lawsuit against Trump's White House ballroom and the implications of the War Powers Act.
April 26, 2026 The Department of Justice demands that the National Trust for Historic Preservation drop its lawsuit against Trump’s White House ballroom, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate claims that the shooting at the WHCA dinner proves the need for the ballroom, The administration has awarded a $17.4 million no bid contract for the repair of two fountains, Public money will pay for the fountain repairs, By May 1st, a deadline determined by the War Powers Act, Congress must either authorize the Iran War or let Trump continue the war without congressional approval, Trump has claimed the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, The idea that the president can act without authority from Congress demolishes a fundamental principle of our democracy. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube…
People in this episode
Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Topics covered
- politics
- law
- war powers
- Trump administration
- historic preservation
Keywords
- Department of Justice
- Trump
- War Powers Act
- historic preservation
- Iran War
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Department of Justice, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Books & works: Letters from an American
Places: Trump’s White House, Iran
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- The Right of Conscience · June 9, 2026 · 10 min
- Trump Walks Out · June 9, 2026 · 10 min
- We Deserve to Know What is Happening · June 7, 2026 · 13 min
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