Trump Administration Proposes Massive 250-Foot Triumphal Arch for Memorial Circle

The controversial plan would place a neoclassical stone arch with a 60-foot gilded statue at the center of the traffic circle near Arlington National Cemetery.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A cinematic painting depicting a massive, neoclassical stone arch with a gilded statue at the top, standing in the center of a traffic circle surrounded by trees and buildings in the distance, all bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows.The proposed triumphal arch at Memorial Circle would loom over the historic setting near Arlington National Cemetery, raising concerns about its impact on the area.Arlington Today

The Trump administration has submitted detailed architectural plans for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, a traffic circle located just across the Potomac River from Arlington National Cemetery. The 12-page filing, prepared by Harrison Design and submitted by the Department of the Interior, outlines a massive neoclassical stone arch topped with a 60-foot gilded statue of a winged figure that Trump has referred to as 'Lady Liberty'.

Why it matters

The proposed arch has drawn significant controversy, with military veterans and historic preservationists filing a lawsuit to halt the project, arguing it would obstruct key views when visiting Arlington National Cemetery and had not received proper approval from Congress or federal review panels. The arch's location on federally protected land also raises questions about the approval process.

The details

The renderings show the arch would stand 250 feet tall, including a 60-foot sculpture, and feature an inscription of 'One Nation Under God' across the front. The main opening would be 110 feet tall and 55 feet wide. The site plan places the arch in the center of Memorial Circle, with Washington Blvd passing on either side. The White House is seeking $15 million from the National Endowment for the Arts to help fund the project, despite earlier statements it would be fully privately funded.

  • The Trump administration first showed off models of the proposed arch at a donor dinner in October 2025.
  • The Department of the Interior filed the detailed architectural plans on April 10, 2026.
  • The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts is scheduled to review the proposal at its meeting on April 16, 2026.

The players

Trump Administration

The current presidential administration, led by former President Donald Trump, which has proposed the construction of the triumphal arch.

Harrison Design

The architectural firm that has been working on the design of the proposed arch since at least last fall, with partner Nicolas Leo Charbonneau as the lead architect.

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

The federal panel that will review the administration's proposal for the arch at its meeting on April 16, 2026. The commission's members were all appointed by Trump after he fired the previous commissioners last October.

Military Veterans

A group of military veterans who have filed a lawsuit to halt the arch project, arguing it would obstruct key views when visiting Arlington National Cemetery.

Historic Preservationists

A group of historic preservationists who have joined the lawsuit against the arch project, citing concerns about the lack of proper approval from Congress and federal review panels.

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What they’re saying

“You got to be kidding. I think it's going very good, and our veterans are the ones that should like it.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

A federal judge will decide whether to halt the arch project unless it receives approval from Congress, after previously halting a separate White House ballroom project. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts will also review the proposal at its meeting on April 16, 2026.

The takeaway

The proposed triumphal arch has become a lightning rod for controversy, with concerns raised about its impact on the historic setting of Arlington National Cemetery, the approval process, and the use of federal funds. The outcome of the legal challenges and the Commission of Fine Arts review will have significant implications for the future of the project.