The Commission of Fine Arts approved designs on May 21 for a 250-foot triumphal arch proposed by former President Donald Trump to be built near Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. The vote was unanimous, with a 4-0 approval by the commission, which is made up of Trump allies appointed last year [1, 2].
The arch will exceed the height of Paris's famous Arc de Triomphe, which stands at 164 feet. Its design includes a public viewing deck and large golden statues of an angel and eagles atop the structure [1, 2]. Commission chairman Rodney Mims Cook Jr said, "Washington is not a static city. It must grow to allow the next 250 years of Americans to celebrate their accomplishments," and called the building "beautiful" [1].
The Trump administration claims the project will become one of Washington’s most iconic landmarks, symbolizing American sacrifices and history. They also assert they have the legal authority to build the arch without congressional approval. Donald Trump himself told reporters on May 21, "We’re doing it... we don’t need anything from Congress" [1, 2].
However, the project has drawn lawsuits from military veterans and preservationists who argue it lacks congressional approval and would disrupt the symbolic views surrounding the cemetery [1, 2]. The White House expects the funding to come through a mix of public and private sources, although the total cost remains under calculation [1].
The Commission of Fine Arts is a federal advisory body established by Congress in 1910 focused on design and historic preservation within Washington's federal area. Another federal body controlled by Trump allies, the National Capital Planning Commission, is scheduled to review the arch design on June 4, 2026, a key next step in the approval process [2].
The arch project is among several Trump-backed changes proposed for the capital during his second term, including renovations to the White House ballroom and reflecting pool [1].
