Trump administration advances plan for 250-foot Triumphal Arch despite historic preservation concerns
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The federal advisory council ended consultations on mitigation for a proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, while Democratic officials criticized the project’s military uses and potential safety impacts.
The Trump administration is moving forward with a proposal to construct a 250-foot "Triumphal Arch" near Arlington National Cemetery, despite the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation ending required consultations on its impact on nearby historic sites. The council, composed of Trump appointees, said historic preservation officers from Washington and Virginia declined to approve mitigation plans for 42 properties in the area.
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth condemned the plan to use the arch for defense purposes, calling it a "foolhardy" project and urging the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration to reject it in favor of improving air-space safety. She expressed concern that the structure would be situated close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a site of a 2025 midair collision.
The Federal Aviation Administration has previously determined that the arch would not pose a risk to aircraft operations. Meanwhile, Virginia Congressman Don Beyer, who leads congressional opposition, reported that excavation work had begun on the site without the required 48-hour notice, describing the activity as "deeply troubling" and suggesting the administration is proceeding without completing basic impact assessments.
The design, unveiled earlier this year, features a golden, winged figure of Lady Liberty atop the arch, flanked by two gold eagles, with the inscriptions "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" on its sides. The advisory council plans to submit a final report on the consultation process early next month.