On Friday, new illustrations were unveiled for the ambitious “triumphal arch” that former President Donald Trump envisions constructing near Arlington National Cemetery, just across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
The proposed design features a majestic arch rising 250 feet high, situated at Memorial Circle adjacent to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. This location is strategically placed near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. The renderings reveal the arch adorned with the inscription “One Nation Under God,” crowned by a striking gold statue of Lady Liberty with expansive golden wings.
At the base of the arch, four golden lions stand proudly at each corner, adding to the grandeur of the structure.
This monumental arch is set to be more than twice the height of the iconic 99-foot Lincoln Memorial.
Trump has expressed his desire for it to surpass all others in size, aiming to eclipse the 164-foot Arc De Triomphe in Paris, among others.
“I’d like it to be the biggest one of all,” Trump stated in January. “We’re the biggest, most powerful nation.”
On Friday, he posted on his social media platform that the arch would be the “GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL” of structures “anywhere in the world.”
“This will be a wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!” he said.
He most recently showed a drawing at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday.
The renderings come as the Trump administration this week reached a compromise with a group of veterans suing to prevent construction of the arch, agreeing to notify the public at least two weeks before beginning work on the project in exchange for stalling the lawsuit, according to court filings.
The agreement staves off the legal challenge for now, though the group of veterans could restart the litigation if the Trump administration fails to follow the legal process for the project.
A coalition of Democratic lawmakers led by Rep. Jared Huffman of California and Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, opposed Trump’s proposed arch earlier this year by filing an amicus brief in federal court, arguing the project violates the Commemorative Works Act and requires congressional approval.
A spending plan for the National Endowment for the Humanities released by the administration this week also revealed that taxpayer funds would partially pay for the project.
The spending plan, approved by the Office of Budget and Management in September, says $2 million in “special initiative funds” and $13 million in matching grants are reserved for the arch.
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