The design for President Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch received an initial OK from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and requested design revisions with key caveats: no underground tunnel and no lions guarding the base.
The federal arts commission, appointed by Trump, moved forward with its vote amid some public opposition that the proposed monument is too costly and could impede views.
Dwarfing the 99-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, the 250-foot arch along the Potomac River would feature a winged figure resembling the Statue of Liberty flanked by gilded eagles. The arch’s designs include gold inscriptions reading “One Nation Under God” and “With Liberty and Justice for All.”
A public 360-degree observation deck would be included on top of the arch built at the traffic circle on the Virginia side of the Memorial Bridge.
A 60-foot statue will appear atop the arch at Mr. Trump’s request, the arch’s designer, Nicolas Charbonneau, told the panel.
James McCrery, the commission’s vice chair and architect, recommended scrapping the lions and the tunnel access for pedestrians to get to the arch.
Veterans and an architectural historian filed a federal lawsuit arguing that Congress has not authorized the monument and that the administration’s plan to use an older century-old authorization to bypass congressional approval is unlawful. In April, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan prohibited the National Park Service from beginning construction of the arch without formally notifying the court.
The administration has already started geotechnical work at the site.
Following the commission’s review, the National Capital Planning Commission must evaluate the project’s compliance with local zoning, height limits and broader master plans.
This project is one of many the president is pursuing before his second term in office ends in January 2029. Two of the big ones are the White House ballroom and a revamping of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
