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Trump’s Triumphal Arch Wins Approval From Key Committee

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Supporters have portrayed the arch as a bold answer to what they see as decades of decline, disorder, and anti-American sentiment in Washington

Opponents argued the arch would overshadow Arlington National Cemetery and alter historic sightlines between the cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. Preservation groups and several veterans organizations have also filed lawsuits attempting to stop construction.

Architect Nicolas Charbonneau told commissioners that several earlier design features had already been removed or simplified, including an underground pedestrian tunnel and additional decorative elements.

The president, however, refused to compromise on the overall scale of the structure.

“The arch, as proposed, would dominate the National Cemetery and would be inconsistent with its solemn and hallowed character,” National Trust for Historic Preservation attorney Elizabeth Merritt told commissioners

The approval also highlights Trump’s growing influence over Washington’s federal planning apparatus during his second term. Trump has installed multiple allies on key federal commissions overseeing architecture and urban development in the capital, allowing his administration to fast-track several high-profile projects.

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