President Trump will formally submit the plans on Thursday for his 250-foot Triumphal Arch in Washington, the White House announced.
The plans will go to the U.S. Commission for Fine Arts for approval.
“This year we celebrate America’s 250th birthday. In honor of this historic occasion, President Trump and the Department of the Interior will submit plans for the United States Triumphal Arch, which will be an architectural masterpiece to celebrate our history right here in Washington, D.C,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday.
“The United States Triumphal Arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250-year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” Ms. Leavitt said. “Long after everyone in this room is gone, our children and grandchildren will remain inspired by this national monument.”
Mr. Trump showed off renderings of the proposed arch last week, revealing the 250-foot structure standing near the Lincoln Memorial.
The drawings show a large white structure, topped with a gilded Lady Liberty statue and the words, “One Nation Under God.” At the arch’s base would sit four golden lions.
The arch would be more than double the height of the Lincoln Memorial and would be built on Columbia Island, a man-made Island in the Potomac River managed by the National Park Service.
Mr. Trump has promoted the idea of building an arch in the District since last year. Last week, he said the monument would be the “greatest and most beautiful Triumphal Arch anywhere in the world.”
The arch is one of several projects Mr. Trump has planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this summer.
Democrats have blasted the project, calling it a waste of taxpayer dollars.
“While Americans worry about skyrocketing costs and another endless war, President Trump is focused on a taxpayer-funded vanity project that would choke traffic, block our skyline, and tower over sacred ground where those who served our nation are buried, including my own parents and sister,” Rep Don Beyer wrote on Bluesky.
“This isn’t about America’s 250th or honoring our veterans,” Mr. Beyer said. “It’s about Donald Trump’s ego — and we’re going to stop it.”
Although the Commission of Fine Arts must approve the project, Mr. Trump has stacked the once independent organization with his allies. In February, the agency approved the president’s $400 million, 90,000-square-foot construction of a White House ballroom.
A federal judge blocked the ballroom renovation last month, ruling that Mr. Trump lacks the legal authority to construct such a structure without congressional authorization.
