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US planning commission approves Trump's 76m triumphal arch

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Ongoing: US mid-terms Hot

The National Capital Planning Commission voted late on Thursday to approve the arch after hearing from about 100 opponents. A judge who is considering legal challenges could still block construction.

Virginia and the District of Columbia have sued the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to halt the project. They say the arch is legally indefensible and that Congress has not approved it. The government says Congress approved it more than 100 years ago, when it also authorised a bridge across the Potomac River.

Representative Don Beyer, who speaks for northern Virginia, opposes the arch. He told the commission it would snarl traffic for years, affect the nearby airport and bring serious threats to public safety.

The justice department said construction could begin this week if it is permitted. The first six to eight months would focus on excavation and foundation work. Above-ground work would start in May 2027 at the earliest, and the whole job would take 33 to 39 months.

The arch would stand more than 24m taller than the Arc de Triomphe. The US Capitol is about 87m tall. A gold winged female figure 18m tall would top the arch.

Trump said the arch would serve as a military asset and could house drones and snipers. He also said it would look better than any other arch in the world.

Key facts

Who
Donald Trump (President of the United States, pushing the arch project); Don Beyer (representative for northern Virginia, opponent of the arch); National Capital Planning Commission (body that voted to approve the project); National Park Service (agency that may issue a permit for construction; sued by Virginia and DC)
What
The National Capital Planning Commission approved the project after hearing from about 100 opponents, which could let construction start quickly, though a judge considering legal challenges could still block it. Virginia and the District of Columbia have sued to halt construction, arguing Congress has not approved it.
When
5 November 2026
Where
Washington, Virginia, District of Columbia
Status
Reported

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