Excavation is expected to begin within the next two weeks for the Trump administration’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., moving the ambitious monument toward construction even as opponents challenge the project in federal court.
The arch is among several high-profile projects being advanced by President Donald Trump. Other initiatives include renovations and a new name for the Kennedy Center, construction of a new White House ballroom, improvements to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the reconstruction of a golf course at East Potomac Park.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum celebrated the planned monument Thursday, predicting that it will become a major architectural landmark in the nation’s capital.
“This will be one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture,” Burgum wrote on X, “befitting the most powerful Capital in the World.”
Burgum accompanied his announcement with artistic renderings depicting the enormous arch, which is planned for a location between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
The images portray a massive white structure accented with gold and bearing the inscription “ONE NATION UNDER GOD.” At the top is a gold, winged figure resembling Lady Liberty and holding a torch, flanked by gold eagles with outstretched wings.
The National Park Service endorsed the proposal in a report released Friday, while also acknowledging that construction of the arch would negatively affect some of the carefully established sightlines connecting several of Washington’s best-known landmarks.
The visual relationships between Washington’s monuments, historic sites and government buildings have been deliberately developed over many decades. Their locations and sightlines were designed both to commemorate important chapters in American history and to create symbolic connections among the capital’s landmarks.
The project is nevertheless facing a legal challenge from three military veterans and an architectural historian. Their lawsuit contends that the administration cannot proceed with construction without approval from Congress.
“congressional authorization is necessary and lacking for this project,” said Nicolas Sansone, an attorney with Public Citizen Litigation Group representing the plaintiffs.
Sansone indicated that the plaintiffs are prepared to seek further court intervention as the administration moves closer to beginning work at the site.
“We believe that construction cannot and should not proceed apace, and we are prepared to inform the court that it needs to, at this juncture, needs to step in,” he said. Sansone did not reveal what specific filing the plaintiffs intend to make next, but said he is “very confident” that they’ll find success.
Burgum defended the project in several posts on X, pointing to historical proposals for a monument at the location and saying the concept stretches back more than a century. He cited previous congressional discussions and attempts to place a monument in the traffic circle.
“Despite Congress’ intent, the site became and remains today a barren traffic circle lacking any monumental treatment and significant historic value,” he wrote.
Burgum also noted that more than 70 cities around the world have “beautiful arches” and predicted that the United States will soon possess the “most spectacular and beautiful arch of them all!”
The legal battle remains unresolved. The Justice Department filed a new court document Thursday seeking dismissal of the lawsuit as the administration prepares to begin excavation work.
{Matzav.com}
