Trump arch approved by federal panel amid court challenges

The National Capital Planning Commission granted final approval on Thursday night for President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch in Washington, D.C. The 8-4 vote clears a major regulatory hurdle for the 250-foot structure, which administration officials said could begin construction within a day. The decision comes as three separate lawsuits challenge the project in federal court.

The commission, which oversees development on federal land in the capital, spent more than nine hours deliberating during a remote hearing. The vote split along federal and local lines, with administration-backed commissioners voting in favor and District of Columbia representatives opposing the measure. The hearing experienced technical difficulties in its early hours, and the public comment section drew widespread criticism.

Mark Paoletta, the commission’s chairman and White House Office of Management and Budget general counsel, defended the project during the meeting. He stated that the arch serves as a display of national identity through grand monuments. Paoletta described the lack of such a structure at the site as a national disgrace, citing a 1925 law that designated the area for a memorial.

Opponents argued the project lacks necessary congressional authorization and funding. D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson, who sits on the panel, said the final site and building plans had not been approved by Congress. He noted that the submitted plan omitted references to military use previously cited by administration officials. Mendelson said the commission could not approve final plans without those specific details.

Critics, including veterans and families buried at the nearby Arlington National Cemetery, raised concerns about the arch’s impact on the skyline and historic sight lines. Jamie Langston, a Gulf War veteran, called the project a vulgar disregard for fallen heroes. Julius Spain, a member of the Arlington County Board and Iraq War veteran, told a small group of protesters at the proposed site that the moment was a civil rights issue for residents.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has ordered the administration to notify her of the planning commission’s decision within one hour. A similar deadline applies to the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior. Judge Chutkan could issue a ruling on a temporary injunction as early as Thursday. The government informed the judge on Monday that a contractor had completed site preparation work on October 31, a step taken without apparent authorization from the National Park Service.

The proposed structure, detailed in a 106-page plan submitted last week, would stand more than 12 stories high. It features a bronze statue of Lady Liberty, an observation deck, and two mezzanines. Interior spaces include offices, a staff lounge, and a fire command center. The project proposes traffic changes on nearby roads and includes a national security function, according to administration officials.