Work to Begin on Trump's 250-Foot 'Triumphal Arch' in Washington, D.C. Within Two Weeks — Despite Legal Challenges and Lack of Approval

The Trump administration has announced that excavation work for the controversial 250-foot "Great Triumphal Arch" in Washington, D.C., will begin within the next two weeks, moving forward despite a pending lawsuit, lack of final approval from a key planning commission, and fierce opposition from veterans and preservationists.

WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on September 3, 2026, that excavation work for President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot "triumphal arch" will begin "over the next two-week period". The structure, which critics have dubbed the "Arc de Trump," is planned for Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, situated between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

"We are pleased to announce that after a very long wait (over 125 years!), we are preparing to start, over the next two-week period, the excavation work necessary for the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck," Burgum wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "This will be one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture, honoring the history and significance of Arlington Cemetery and befitting the most powerful Capital in the World," he added.

A Monumental Structure — and a Monumental Controversy

The proposed arch, inspired by Paris's Arc de Triomphe, would rise 250 feet (76 meters) — more than double the height of the Lincoln Memorial and taller than its Parisian counterpart. Renderings show a towering white structure with gold accents, featuring a winged gold figure with a torch and crown at the top, flanked by gold eagles with spread wings. The arch would be inscribed with "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All".

The project is part of Trump's broader effort to leave an architectural mark on the nation's capital, alongside plans for a new White House ballroom, renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and redevelopment of a golf course in East Potomac Park. The arch is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

However, the project has drawn fierce opposition from multiple fronts:

The Legal and Regulatory Landscape

The arch's path to construction is far from clear.

Pending Lawsuit

Three veterans and an architectural historian filed a lawsuit earlier this year seeking to block the project, arguing that the administration lacks congressional approval as required by the Commemorative Works Act. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who in an April hearing sharply questioned Trump's authority to build the monument. The plaintiffs withdrew a request for a preliminary injunction after the government agreed to provide 14 days' notice before starting construction — a notice that Burgum's announcement appears to fulfill.

The Justice Department has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that allowed construction of the White House ballroom to continue. In a 5-4 decision, the conservative majority found that legal challengers lacked standing to block that project. The DOJ argues the veterans' claims are "indistinguishable" from the ballroom case, while the veterans counter that their injury is based on "the destruction of a landscape that they regularly visit and that holds profound personal significance," not merely offense at the project.

Missing Approvals

The arch has not yet received final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) , which oversees building projects on federally owned land in Washington and enforces the city's 130-foot height limit. The commission gave preliminary approval in July but requested revisions, and its next meeting isn't until October 1. The administration argues the height limit should not apply to the arch.

Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still reviewing the project's impact on airspace near Reagan National Airport, located less than two miles away. A preliminary study found no adverse effect but recommended red obstruction lights be added to the arch.

The Administration's Legal Argument

The Trump administration has argued that a 100-year-old statute related to the construction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge authorizes the arch, and that because the Department of the Interior owns the land, congressional approval is unnecessary. Interior Secretary Burgum framed the project as the fulfillment of a long-delayed plan, writing that it had been "over 125 years" in the making.

A National Park Service Report Acknowledges Damage

A National Park Service report released in late August acknowledged that the arch would have adverse effects on the sightlines of dozens of Washington landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, the U.S. Capitol, and the National Cathedral.

The report noted that the arch would break the alignment among the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Memorial Bridge, and Arlington House — a connection "intended to physically and symbolically unite North and South through a coordinated monumental composition extending across the Potomac River".

However, the Park Service ultimately backed the project, stating that "the same characteristics that make Memorial Circle sensitive from a preservation perspective are also the characteristics that make it the historically appropriate location for the undertaking". It argued that relocating the arch or eliminating its commemorative features "would fail to meet the undertaking's purpose and need".

Public Opposition and Political Backlash

The project has ignited a firestorm of criticism. California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief against the arch, calling it "not a presidential triumph; it's a monumental tragedy".

"This proposed arch isn't a presidential triumph; it's a monumental tragedy. Across the country, everyday Americans are struggling with affordability, but Trump's attention seems to be focused on himself," Bonta said.

Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, whose district includes Arlington National Cemetery, called the excavation plans "plainly illegal without congressional authorization". The National Parks Conservation Association described the administration's decision to move forward "before any of the legal steps required" as "egregious".

A Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos poll found that 52% of Americans oppose the arch, while only 21% support it.

The Bottom Line

The administration appears determined to proceed with what Trump has called a project to honor the nation's 250th anniversary, regardless of legal obstacles or public opposition. The arch, if completed, would be one of the tallest and most controversial monuments in Washington's history.

As excavation looms, the clock is ticking for opponents to secure a court order halting the project. With construction expected to take two to three years at a grueling 20-hour-a-day pace, the debate over whether this is a fitting tribute or a "vanity exercise" is far from over.