Trump administration ends historic review of militarized Memorial Circle arch
On September 26, 2026, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation halted the Section 106 review of a proposed 25-story, 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, ending a brief public comment period amid controversy over the project's purpose and safety. The decision effectively stopped the federal review process.
President Donald Trump had earlier promoted the arch as a military complex, saying it would house drones, sniper positions and ammunition, a claim that prompted a federal judge to order a pause on construction and sparked legal and historic-preservation challenges. Senator Tammy Duckworth later urged the Pentagon and the FAA to reject the plan, and the advisory council had previously concluded its mitigation consultations, drawing criticism from Democratic officials over the militarized design and safety concerns.
