By Salma El-Sakka
The National Capital Planning Commission is expected to vote Thursday to approve President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., with construction slated to begin almost immediately. The commission, led by Trump appointees, is considered likely to greenlight the project despite a hearing where numerous area residents voiced opposition to the monument, which would sit in Memorial Circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.
Commission Vote and Opposition
Mark Paoletta, the Office of Management and Budget general counsel appointed chairman of the commission in August, called it a "national disgrace" that such a memorial had not already been built and praised Trump's "monumental vision," saying it would be "the grandest arch ever built by mankind."
Legal Challenges from Virginia and D.C.
The governments of Virginia and the District of Columbia are seeking an emergency court order to block construction, arguing the project violates at least five federal statutes, including a law that generally limits buildings in the District to a maximum height of 130 feet. The 250-foot arch would exceed that limit nearly twofold. They also contend the arch would disrupt operations in both jurisdictions and impair their ability to carry out legal responsibilities.
Judge Tanya Chutkan's Role
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has asked to be notified after the commission's vote. Opponents warn that once construction begins, the administration may argue that halting it would irreparably harm the federal government and pose security risks, citing the earlier demolition of the White House East Wing to build a ballroom with national security measures.
Design Changes: No Drones or Snipers
While Trump previously said the arch would include a military complex with drones and snipers for national security, the final plans submitted to the commission do not mention drones, ammunition storage, or sniper positions.
Historical and Height Concerns
Preservationists and military veterans argue the arch's location would obstruct the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, designed to represent the nation's unification after the Civil War. The administration counters that Congress authorized 166-foot columns on the site about a century ago, but opponents say the Memorial Bridge Act never mentioned an arch.
