Trump Proposes ‘Arc de Trump’ Near Arlington as Veterans File Legal Blockade
Donald Trump claims his new 250-foot monument near Arlington is for veterans, but a federal judge has temporarily halted construction efforts.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — During an annual Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced a massive architectural project intended as a tribute to the U.S. military and its members.
The proposed 250-foot (76-meter) structure, slated for a location between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery, draws inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Trump suggested the monument might eventually be christened the ‘Arc de Trump.’
The president asserted that such a structure has been desired in the capital for centuries, stating that veterans have been waiting for 200 years. ‘And soon we’re going to dedicate a magnificent triumphal arc to our veterans,’ Trump remarked, adding, ‘And’s in honor of our great veterans and our great militaries.’
Despite receiving formal approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts—where all members were appointed by the president—three veterans led a lawsuit to halt the project. In response last week, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary restraining order that prohibits all work for 14 days.
This legal hurdle comes as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress following recent midterm election victories. Trump faces increasing scrutiny on various renovation plans, including efforts to rename the Kennedy Center, remodel public golf courses, and construct a massive ballroom within the White House.
The White House has continued to push the project forward via a newly launched website that identifies the structure as the United States Military Triumphal Arch. The site claims the monument is long overdue and has been sought by the military for many years.
The architectural plans reveal highly unconventional features, including columns designed to store munitions and a pedestal-level observation deck designated as a sniper’s nest. The base is intended for drone launches, with the website describing the monument as a highly secretive, top-level, and lethal structure previously unseen in the country.
While the website does not disclose specific funding sources or total costs, independent estimates suggest the project could reach $100 million.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
