US President Trump’s 250‑foot “Triumphal Arch” project moves forward

US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a 250‑foot “Triumphal Arch” near Arlington National Cemetery is proceeding despite halted historic‑preservation consultations.

The federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, composed of Trump appointees, announced on Thursday that it was ending required talks with historic preservation officers from Washington and Virginia. The officers had refused to sign off on proposed harm‑mitigation measures for 42 historic properties in the area.

Construction was expected to start this month, and Democratic Virginia Congressman Don Beyer reported that excavation work had already begun, with heavy equipment on site conducting “archaeological work to evaluate the composition of the soil.” Beyer said the administration had not provided the required 48‑hour notice.

Senator Tammy Duckworth criticised the project on Friday, calling it “foolhardy” and a “vanity project,” and urged the Pentagon and the FAA to reject the plan, which includes using the arch to store military equipment and deploy snipers and drones.

The FAA recently ruled that the structure would not threaten air traffic at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, located about 4 miles away. The council expects to issue a final report early next month.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Nancy Klane / Pexels.