Nicolai Haugsted
Donald Trump’s enormous triumphal arch comes with an embarrassing catch that could ruin his plans.
Donald Trump’s ambitions for Washington extend well beyond the policies being debated inside the White House. The president has pursued a series of projects aimed at reshaping the American capital, from renovating prominent landmarks to introducing new architectural features that could permanently change the city’s appearance.
His plans have attracted both attention and opposition, particularly when proposed changes involve historically significant public spaces. Among the most ambitious is a towering monument inspired by one of Paris’s most recognizable landmarks.
But the latest information from the US Department of Justice has revealed a rather inconvenient detail about the president’s architectural ambitions.
Trump may have to leave the White House long before his enormous triumphal arch is finished, says The Guardian.
Trump’s giant monument could outlast his presidency
According to a government court filing submitted Tuesday, the proposed 250-foot (76-meter) arch would require approximately 33 to 39 months to complete.
That construction schedule means the monument would not be finished before Trump’s second presidential term ends in January 2029.
The structure, inspired by the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is planned for a location near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington.
If authorities approve the project, construction could begin as early as Thursday.
However, the first six to eight months would focus primarily on excavation and foundation work.
The government estimates that construction above ground would not begin until May 2027 at the earliest.
Consequently, the president could spend much of his remaining time in office watching preparations for a monument that will only reach completion after his departure.
The timeline also depends on the project overcoming significant legal and administrative obstacles.
Virginia and Washington are trying to stop construction
The proposed arch has already prompted a legal confrontation involving the governments of Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Both jurisdictions filed a lawsuit Saturday against the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior, seeking to prevent construction from beginning.
Their central argument is that the project lacks the necessary authorization from Congress.
The plaintiffs described the proposal as “legally indefensible,” challenging the federal government’s authority to proceed without congressional approval.
The dispute is now before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, D.C.
Federal lawyers have urged the judge to reject attempts to block the project.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to consider approval at a meeting Thursday.
The Department of the Interior has indicated that it could issue its final decision on the proposal that same day.
The National Park Service could also grant a permit or another form of authorization, potentially clearing the way for initial construction work.
However, the pending lawsuits could complicate those plans.
Veterans warn that the arch could damage a historic view
Opposition to the project extends beyond local governments.
Several military veterans have also filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent construction.
Their concerns focus on the monument’s proposed location and its potential impact on the historic landscape surrounding Arlington National Cemetery.
The veterans argue that the structure would interfere with the important visual connection between the Lincoln Memorial and the cemetery.
That sightline is part of one of Washington’s most recognizable ceremonial landscapes, linking a memorial dedicated to Abraham Lincoln with the resting place of generations of American service members.
Critics fear that introducing a 250-foot arch could permanently alter the character of the area.
Federal officials, however, have offered a different justification for the monument’s dimensions and location.
In court, the government argued that the structure could contribute to defending the capital against emerging security threats, including drones.
The argument adds an unusual national security dimension to what has otherwise been presented as a major architectural project.
Airport concerns bring another complication
The monument’s proposed location has also raised questions about aviation safety.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is situated nearby, and the arch would stand within important aircraft approach and departure corridors.
Given the structure’s considerable height, some observers have questioned whether it could interfere with flights.
However, the Federal Aviation Administration has concluded that the project does not pose an aviation safety risk.
According to the agency, the arch would include an eternal flame and floodlights directed toward the structure to improve its visibility to pilots.
The FAA’s assessment addresses one potential obstacle, although it does not resolve the separate legal disputes over construction authorization and the monument’s impact on the surrounding landscape.
Trump continues his campaign to reshape Washington
The triumphal arch is part of a much broader effort by Trump to leave a physical mark on the American capital.
His administration has pursued plans to renovate the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool and redevelop a golf course in East Potomac Park.
Trump has also sought to associate his name with prominent Washington institutions.
Those efforts include adding his name to the US Institute of Peace and attempting to do the same with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The projects reflect the president’s interest in changing the appearance and identity of important public spaces.
However, such initiatives can involve complicated approval processes, historical preservation concerns and legal challenges.
The proposed arch has already encountered all three.
