Trump administration to begin excavation of proposed Washington arch
The administration announced that excavation for a planned 250-foot gilded arch near the Lincoln Memorial will start within two weeks, despite a lawsuit and concerns over historic sightlines.
The White House said Thursday that excavation work on a proposed 250-foot (76-meter) memorial arch will begin within the next two weeks. The structure, designed with a white exterior, gold detailing and a winged figure reminiscent of Lady Liberty, is slated to stand between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted renderings of the arch on X, describing it as "one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture" and saying it would be "befitting the most powerful Capital in the World." He also argued that the site, currently a traffic circle, lacks monumental treatment and that the United States will have "the most spectacular and beautiful arch of them all."
A National Park Service report released Friday acknowledged that the project would adversely affect sightlines linking several iconic landmarks, potentially diminishing the historic significance of nearby sites. A lawsuit filed by three veterans and an architectural historian contends that congressional authorization for the arch is missing. Attorney Nicolas Sansone of the Public Citizen Litigation Group said the plaintiffs are prepared to ask the court to intervene and expressed confidence in a favorable outcome.
The Department of Justice filed a brief on Thursday urging the court to dismiss the lawsuit. The case remains pending as the administration moves forward with the excavation plan.