The National Park Service has concluded that President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch would cause irreversible harm to 37 historic sites in Washington, D.C., including the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Washington National Cathedral.
In a federal assessment, the Park Service determined the arch’s design would alter views and obstruct ceremonial vistas along the Memorial Avenue Corridor—a stretch of land between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery that includes the Kennedy gravesite and Robert E. Lee’s historic Arlington House. The document, obtained by The New York Times, identifies the arch as incompatible with the area’s historic integrity under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
Federal review triggers next steps
The Park Service’s findings are part of an ongoing review process required before any federal project can proceed. The agency has asked outside groups to submit comments on the list of affected sites by a past deadline. The next approval step rests with the National Capital Planning Commission, which could vote as soon as its September 3 meeting.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, previously approved the arch’s design in earlier stages. However, the Park Service’s assessment now raises new concerns about the structure’s visual dominance and its potential to disrupt the symbolic landscape of the nation’s capital.
Key sites at risk
The assessment highlights the Memorial Avenue Corridor as particularly vulnerable, noting that the arch would block or alter views from multiple landmarks. Among the 37 sites listed are:
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Washington National Cathedral
- Lincoln Memorial
- Washington Monument
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Arlington House
The document describes the corridor as a ceremonial gateway designed to commemorate national unity and reconciliation after the Civil War. The arch’s proposed placement and height—250 feet, making it one of the tallest structures in the capital—would violate the city’s height restrictions and undermine the area’s historic character.
Legal and procedural context
Under the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies must assess whether a project causes an "adverse effect"—defined as any change that harms a historic property’s integrity. The Park Service’s role is to evaluate these impacts before granting approval. The assessment does not constitute a final rejection but sets the stage for further deliberation.
The National Capital Planning Commission holds the authority to approve or deny the project. If approved, the arch would still require additional permits and reviews. Opponents, including historic preservationists and military veterans, have already raised concerns about the structure’s proximity to Arlington National Cemetery, where private funerals are held.
Design and intent
Renderings released by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts depict a monumental arch intended as a focal point for a new ceremonial space. Critics argue the design’s scale and placement are inherently disruptive, while supporters contend it would serve as a unifying symbol. The Park Service’s assessment does not address the arch’s symbolic purpose but focuses solely on its physical and visual impact on historic properties.
The review process remains ongoing, with the Park Service’s findings now subject to public and expert commentary before the Planning Commission’s decision.