National Capital Planning Commission Preliminarily Approves Trump Triumphal Arch

The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-1 on July 9, 2026, to advance preliminary site and building plans for a 250-foot Triumphal Arch proposed by Donald Trump. Intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, the monument would be located at Memorial Circle on a traffic circle at the Virginia end of the Memorial Bridge, situated between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

While the commission approved the site, it deferred a final decision on whether the structure violates the 1910 Height of Buildings Act, which generally caps construction at 130 feet. The United States Department of the Interior and Commission Chairman Will Scharf argue the act is a local zoning ordinance that does not apply to federal projects. Conversely, commission staff suggested a compromise to reduce the mezzanine and observation levels to comply with the law while increasing the height of a Lady Liberty statue to maintain the overall 250-foot scale.

The project faces significant opposition from historians, veterans, and gold star mothers, who argue the arch is a vanity project that disrupts historic sightlines and the sacredness of the cemetery. A lawsuit filed by Vietnam War veterans, represented by Public Citizen, claims the project lacks congressional approval. Additional concerns include noise pollution from a proposed 20-hour daily construction schedule, pedestrian safety, and flight path interference at Reagan National Airport.

Funding for the estimated $1 billion project is expected to come from a mix of public funds and private donations. Final approval is expected in September, pending a full aeronautical study by the Federal Aviation Administration and additional environmental and traffic studies.