Survey work begins on Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Preliminary surveys and geotechnical testing have begun at the proposed site for President Donald Trump's planned Triumphal Arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
- The 250-foot-tall arch, featuring gilded figures and inscriptions, has received early approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts but faces opposition due to concerns over disrupting historic sightlines.
- A group of veterans and a historian have filed a federal lawsuit to block construction, arguing the arch would interfere with the view between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House.
- The National Park Service has not yet authorized construction, stating the current survey work is preparatory and not construction, while plaintiffs argue the government's actions indicate intent to proceed without proper congressional authorization.