Plans to construct a 250-foot tall Triumphal Arch as part of a complex near Arlington National Cemetery have advanced after a federal advisory council terminated required consultations over the project’s potential effects on local historic sites. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, led by appointees of Donald Trump, announced Thursday it would end talks after historic preservation officers from Washington and Virginia declined to approve mitigation plans intended to address damage concerns.
Construction work was already underway at the site, despite growing opposition from Democratic lawmakers and local officials. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized the arch’s proposed military functions as “foolhardy,” calling it “yet another Trump vanity project.” Earlier this week, Trump revealed the arch would also serve as a military equipment storage complex, including facilities for deploying snipers and drones from its roof and plaza.
Conflicting Views on Safety and Historic Impact
The arch is planned to be located just outside Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and approximately four miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, near the site of a fatal 2025 midair collision involving a military helicopter. Senator Duckworth sent a letter to the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urging them to reject the militarized arch plans and prioritize airspace safety. The FAA, however, recently concluded the structure would not pose a risk to airport flights.
Local historic preservation officials questioned the National Park Service’s proposed harm-mitigation plans and expressed doubts about both the necessity of the arch and the adequacy of the assessments regarding potential damage to 42 historic properties in the area. While federal authorities are not required to reach consensus in such consultations, the council will submit a final report next month outlining the process.
Congressional Opposition and Site Excavation
Democratic Virginia Congressman Don Beyer, opposing the arch, reported witnessing heavy equipment at the site conducting archaeological soil evaluations without the mandated 48-hour prior notice. Beyer criticized the administration for moving forward without completing necessary assessments, calling the early work “deeply troubling.”
A rendering released earlier showed the arch topped by a golden, winged Lady Liberty flanked by gold eagles, with inscriptions of “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All.” Despite opposition, the administration appears intent on pushing forward with the project amid concerns about its impact on historic sites and local safety.
