Trump arch goes up despite opposition

Donald Trump is beginning construction of his controversial triumphal arch in Washington despite opposition, and the timing has prompted pointed questions about his political calculations.

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrote on X that excavation for the arch and its viewing platform at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island would begin within two weeks. The site lies between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

The announcement follows the Supreme Court’s decision last week allowing Trump’s controversial ballroom project at the White House to continue after a lower court had halted it. The administration argued that stopping the project, which also includes major underground military facilities, would cause irreparable harm because construction had progressed so far. The project had become an established fact, or at least a started one, allowing Trump to keep building.

“

For me, it will be beautiful.

The commentary argues that the same logic may apply to the arch. Trump has devoted much of his energy to reshaping Washington. His projects include the Kennedy Center, which he renamed after himself until a court forced its name to be removed, the large pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and the demolition of the White House’s East Wing to make room for the ballroom.

Many Americans, particularly sarcastic liberal writers, have asked which victory the arch is meant to celebrate: the Iran war, the trade war with Canada, or Trump’s culture war against everything considered woke in the United States. But the article says Trump has already answered the question. Asked last autumn whom the arch would honor, he replied, “For me, it will be beautiful.” The piece says the launch is surprising because it comes less than two months before the midterms, while polls point to a major Republican setback and Trump’s approval ratings are falling.

“

Build and be damned