Trump-Appointed Panel Grants Final Approval For 250-Foot Washington Arch Design
On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to grant final approval for President Trump's proposed 250-foot arch between Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall.[1]
The approved design will be topped by a Lady Liberty-like statue holding a torch and flanked by two gilded eagles.[2] The structure will stand 250 feet tall from base to the torch.[2] Gold-lettered inscriptions on either side will read "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All." CBS The revised plan removes four lions that had been planned at the base and eliminates an underground pedestrian tunnel, changes recommended by Vice Chair James McCrery.[2]
Commission Secretary Thomas Luebke said the commission received roughly 600 written comments and that about 99.5% opposed the arch.[1] All commissioners at the meeting were Trump appointees who acknowledged gaps in information about planned sculptures and artwork but nonetheless voted for final approval after limited discussion.[1] Preservation groups and D.C. residents testified against the project, and critics argued the commission was moving at a pace that limited meaningful public participation.[1] Preliminary surveys and testing at the National Park Service site began the week before the vote, and a federal lawsuit by veterans and a historian seeking to block construction remains pending.[2]
At a same-day appearance at the White House, President Trump said he does not need congressional approval because the land is owned by the Interior Department, declaring, "We're doing it." NPR Commissioners were told President Trump considered but rejected a suggestion to remove the statue, which would have reduced the arch's height by about 80 feet.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to grant final approval (not just concept approval) for President Trump's proposed arch between Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall.
- The approved design confirms the structure will stand 250 feet tall from base to the torch held by a Lady Liberty-like statue.
- The revised plan removes four planned lions at the base and eliminates an underground pedestrian tunnel to the traffic-circle site — changes recommended by Vice Chair James McCrery.
- The arch will feature a Lady Liberty-like figure flanked by two gilded eagles, with gold-lettered inscriptions reading "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" on either side.
- Commission Secretary Thomas Luebke told the May 21 meeting the commission received roughly 600 to about 1,000 public comments and that nearly all (about 99–100%) opposed the project.
- All commissioners at the meeting were Trump appointees who acknowledged gaps in information about planned sculptures and artwork but nonetheless voted for final approval after limited discussion, according to NPR.
- Preliminary surveys and testing at the National Park Service site began the week before the May 21 vote, and a federal lawsuit by veterans and a historian seeking to block construction remains pending without judicial intervention so far, per CBS News.
- On May 21, 2026, President Trump said at the White House he does not need congressional approval because the land is owned by the Interior Department, declaring, "We're doing it."
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to grant final, not just concept-level, approval to President Trump's proposed 250-foot arch between Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall.
- Commission Secretary Thomas Luebke said the commission had received roughly 600 written comments ahead of the meeting and that about 99.5% of them opposed the arch.
- During a same-day appearance at the White House, President Trump said he does not need congressional approval for the arch because the land is owned by the Interior Department, stating, "We're doing it."
- Commissioners, all Trump appointees, acknowledged gaps in information about planned sculptures and artwork on the arch but nonetheless agreed to final approval after limited discussion.
- Preservation groups and D.C. residents testified against the project at the May 21 meeting, and critics argued the commission was moving at a pace that limited meaningful public participation.
- On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved a slightly revised design for President Trump's proposed triumphal arch, confirming the structure will stand 250 feet tall from base to the torch held by a Lady Liberty-like statue.
- The revised design removes four lions that had been planned at the base and eliminates an underground pedestrian tunnel to the traffic-circle site, changes recommended by Vice Chair James McCrery.
- The arch will feature a Lady Liberty-like figure on top flanked by two gilded eagles, with the inscriptions "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" in gold lettering on either side.
- CFA Secretary Thomas Luebke told the May 21 meeting the commission had received about 1,000 public comments and that 100% were against the project.
- Preliminary surveys and testing at the National Park Service site began the week before the May 21 vote, and a federal lawsuit by veterans and a historian seeking to block construction remains pending without judicial intervention so far.
- Commissioners were told President Trump considered but rejected a suggestion to remove the statue on top, which would have reduced the arch's height by about 80 feet.