GOP senator blocks move to prevent Trump from tearing down buildings honoring presidents

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) late Monday blocked an attempt from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to prohibit President Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center.

The bill Merkley attempted to pass under unanimous consent, which would have bypassed a floor vote if no one had objected, also had the support of Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).

Trump has threatened to tear down the performing arts center after a court blocked him from adding his name to Kennedy’s on its facade. The administration is also in court fighting a challenge to substantive renovations Trump wants to do, arguing that the building is “decrepit” and in need of a full remodel.

Merkley called for action on the Senate floor Monday night but was met with an objection from Lee. In a statement after the fact, Merkley said his bill would have prevented demolition of any national memorial to honor a U.S. president without an act of Congress.

“Trump’s threats are straight out of the authoritarian playbook and should infuriate every American who values our nation’s history and the rule of law,” Merkley said. “Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars putting Trump’s name on memorials and monuments as if he is a king, we should be focused on putting money back into the pockets of working families and honoring America’s greatest cultural institutions, not destroying them.”

Moments earlier, Lee also objected to a Merkley motion that would have blocked Trump from building a colossal marble arch between the Arlington Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) warned last week that Trump appears to be laying the groundwork for construction of the arch, despite a court order demanding prior notice before work begins.