The White House has unveiled new renderings for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., featuring the phrase 'ONE NATION UNDER GOD' on one side and 'LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL' on the opposite side. The design, created by Harrison Design, includes a winged Lady Liberty statue, two eagles, and four golden lions at the monument’s corners. The arch would stand between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, near a traffic circle on the Potomac River.
The Interior Department submitted the plans to the Commission of Fine Arts, which will review them on April 16. President Trump has argued that Washington, D.C., is the only major capital without a triumphal arch and has compared the proposed structure to Paris’ Arc de Triomphe.
Design and Location Details
The arch would be 76 meters (250 feet) tall, significantly taller than the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial. The design includes gold inscriptions, a winged Lady Liberty figure, and eagle sculptures atop the structure. The monument would be located in Memorial Circle, near Arlington National Cemetery.
Historical Context and Criticism
Trump has stated that Washington, D.C., first considered a triumphal arch 200 years ago, but the project was interrupted by the Civil War. He has also noted that other major cities, including Paris, have such monuments.
However, the proposal has faced criticism. A lawsuit filed by veterans argues that the arch would disrupt sightlines meant to symbolize national unity after the Civil War. Critics have called the project a 'vanity project' and argued that it lacks Congressional authorization for construction near Arlington National Cemetery.
Michael Lemmon, a U.S. Army veteran, stated that the arch would be a 'continuous visual affront' to veterans who have served the nation. The Commission of Fine Arts, composed entirely of Trump appointees, will review the plans on April 16.