Trump to Begin Building Washington Triumphal Arch in Two Weeks

Excavation for a giant triumphal arch in Washington is set to begin within two weeks, according to the Trump administration. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the timetable in a social media post, describing the planned work as preparation for the “Great Triumphal Arch.”

The structure will rise at Memorial Circle, one of the entrances to the capital, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, the arch will stand 250 feet, or 76.2 meters, high. A Winged Victory figure will crown it, while golden lions will flank its base.

The administration’s announcement came days after the Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to proceed with construction of a large ballroom at the White House. That ruling set a precedent for other efforts by historic-preservation advocates to block government construction projects.

Critics have warned that the arch could distort Washington’s urban landscape. They have also described it as a vanity project for Trump, a former real-estate magnate who has pursued several projects intended to leave his imprint on the city since returning to power.

The White House ballroom project required the demolition of the mansion’s historic East Wing. The new arch adds another large-scale intervention to the capital’s landscape as the administration prepares to mark the United States’ 250th year.

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We are preparing to begin, during the next two-week period, the excavation work necessary for the Great Triumphal Arch.