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Can Trump’s Arch Be So Tall? A Panel May Redefine a Law to Get to Yes.
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The National Capital Planning Commission, led by Trump allies, is reconsidering the 1910 Height of Buildings Act, potentially allowing federal projects like President Trump's proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch to bypass height restrictions.
- The Interior Department argues in a memo that the Height of Buildings Act was never intended to apply to federal buildings, challenging nearly 90 years of the commission’s interpretation.
- This move is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to expedite over $1 billion in construction projects by circumventing federal laws and norms.
- The commission is expected to approve preliminary plans for the arch, but final approval remains pending amid ongoing legal challenges.
- Vietnam War veterans have filed a lawsuit to halt the arch’s construction, citing the absence of congressional approval and concerns over obstructed views of significant national landmarks.
