The United States Commission of Fine Arts has approved the design for a proposed triumphal arch backed by President Donald Trump at an entrance to Washington, D.C.
Eko Hot News reports that the decision marks a significant step forward for the project, which has drawn widespread public criticism but continues to move through official approval stages.
The commission, whose members were appointed during Trump’s administration, voted to endorse the revised design during a meeting on Thursday.
The proposed monument is expected to stand 250 feet tall and feature a Lady Liberty-style statue holding a torch at its peak.
The structure would also include gilded eagle figures and inscriptions reading “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All.”
Design revisions reportedly removed earlier features such as base lions and an underground pedestrian tunnel.
Officials said the changes were made following recommendations from architectural reviewers and commission feedback.
The monument would be located at a traffic circle and is intended to serve as a major national landmark.
Supporters of the project argue that Washington, D.C. lacks a traditional triumphal arch compared to other major world capitals.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the scale and visual impact of the structure on the city skyline.
Opponents say the monument would overshadow key historical sites, including the Lincoln Memorial and views toward Arlington National Cemetery.
The proposed arch would be significantly taller than the Lincoln Memorial and nearly half the height of the Washington Monument.
A group of veterans and a historian have filed a lawsuit seeking to block construction of the project.
They argue that the structure could disrupt historically protected sightlines and violate preservation laws.
The Trump administration has defended the project as part of efforts to enhance the capital’s aesthetic and cultural landmarks.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that Washington should have a monument comparable to those in other global capitals.
Preliminary site surveys and engineering assessments have already begun at the proposed location.
The project is part of broader renovation plans that include upgrades to public spaces in Washington ahead of national celebrations.
Officials have also proposed changes to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as part of city beautification efforts.
Those changes, including aesthetic modifications to the pool, are also facing legal challenges from preservation groups.
Critics argue that several of the administration’s redevelopment plans bypass proper environmental and historical review procedures.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation has filed a lawsuit opposing parts of the renovation programme.
The group claims the changes could undermine the historical integrity of Washington’s national monuments.
Despite opposition, the Trump administration maintains that the projects are intended to modernize and beautify the capital ahead of major national milestones.
The approval of the arch design signals continued progress on one of the most debated architectural proposals in recent Washington history.
