See USA TODAY visit site of President Trump’s proposed ‘Arc de Triomphe’
USA TODAY trends reporter Michelle Del Rey visits the site of the future Trump Arch in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump is proposing to build a 250-foot-tall “Arch of Triumph” near Arlington National Cemetery, and new renderings show what the controversial monument will look like.
The Trump administration has released images of a structure that will be erected at Memorial Circle on Columbus Island, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, as part of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The plan drew both support and legal opposition from veterans’ organizations.
White House Press Secretary David R. Ingle said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY that the arch “will enhance the Arlington National Cemetery visiting experience for veterans, families of the fallen, and all Americans.”
Here’s what you need to know about arches. Check out the video above to see where it’s planned in Washington, DC.
What will the arch look like?
Renderings show the proposed landmark’s similarities to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Trump Arch, dubbed the “Arc de Trump” by critics, will feature a 24-foot-tall golden eagle, USA TODAY previously reported.
Above the arch sat an angel with golden wings, and on one side was written “One Nation Under God,” and on the other “Liberty and Justice for All.”
The government estimates the arch will be about 250 feet tall, exceeding the height of the Lincoln Memorial and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The American Board of Fine Arts is scheduled to review the project this week. The Commission is an independent federal agency that provides advice to the President, the D.C. Administration, and Congress on design and aesthetic issues that affect federal interests.
After taking office, President Trump dismissed six commissioners appointed by former President Joe Biden and appointed several replacements.
How much does the arch cost?
The White House has not released a cost estimate for the project.
Axios reported in November that construction of the arch could cost about $100 million. The White House told USA TODAY on April 13 that costs are still being calculated and will eventually be shared.
“We anticipate that a combination of public and private funds will be used to pay for the construction of the Arc de Triomphe,” the White House said, adding that the project is expected to be completed by the end of President Trump’s second term.
legal challenge
According to Reuters, a group of Washington-area residents is suing to block construction of the arch, citing concerns that the Trump administration has failed to follow federal laws restricting new monument construction in the area.
Members of the group argue that if construction is allowed to proceed, it will cause irreparable damage to the protected historic landscape in the heart of the capital.
In response to the lawsuit, the White House said the arch would become “one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D.C., but around the world.”
Ingle said in a statement that the arch “serves as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices made by many American heroes throughout our 250-year history so that we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com..
