Plans for a 76-meter (250-foot) triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. Have been submitted to the US Commission of Fine Arts, following months of discussion initiated by President Donald Trump. Trump described the proposed arch as “the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World.”
A Monumental Scale
If built, the arch would be significantly larger than existing triumphal arches worldwide. It would surpass the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which is just under 50 meters tall, as well as the Monument to the Revolution in Mexico (67 meters) and the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang (60 meters). The proposed structure would be built across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
The design includes a gilded figure resembling Lady Liberty, two eagles, and four gilded lions. The phrases “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” are to be inscribed in gold lettering on the arch.
Funding and Future Challenges
The cost of the project is currently unclear, though an estimate from White House insiders cited in an October report suggested a price tag of $100 million. Funding could potentially include private donations, similar to the approach taken with the controversial White House ballroom construction.
The plans are now under review by the US Commission of Fine Arts, after the President replaced its board members in October. A separate legal challenge has been filed by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian, who contend that Congressional approval is required for construction near Arlington National Cemetery.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the plans for the arch first discussed?
President Trump first teased the idea in recent months, and confirmed the plans had been filed with the US Commission of Fine Arts.
What is the proposed height of the arch?
The proposed arch would be 76 meters (250 feet) tall.
What inscriptions will be on the arch?
The arch will bear the inscriptions “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” in gold letters.
As the plans undergo review and face potential legal challenges, will this ambitious project arrive to fruition, and what impact might it have on the nation’s capital?