Trump Administration Releases Renderings for Proposed 250-Foot Arch Near Arlington National Cemetery

The Trump administration released renderings on Friday for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Memorial Circle, located between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The design, prepared by Harrison Design, includes a golden statue of a winged Lady Liberty holding a shield and torch at the top, with two golden eagles positioned beneath the statue's wings.

The structure stands more than double the height of the nearby Lincoln Memorial and exceeds the height of Paris' Arc de Triomphe by over 80 feet.

The arch is intended to commemorate the United States' 250th birthday in 2026. Renderings were submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts, which is scheduled to review the proposal on April 16. The commission must approve the design, along with the National Capital Planning Commission.

The latest plans include the phrase 'One Nation Under God' across the top of the structure and a viewing deck.

The arch would be positioned on a traffic circle near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and across from the Lincoln Memorial. A White House official stated that the arch would serve as a visual reminder of American sacrifices.

The estimated cost remains under calculation, with funding anticipated from a combination of public and private sources, according to a White House official.

The commission approved a separate White House ballroom project in February, though a federal judge halted construction weeks later. The National Capital Planning Commission also approved that project, but work remains in limbo due to the court ruling.

A veterans group filed a lawsuit against the federal government to block the arch's construction. The suit argues that the project would obstruct views to Arlington National Cemetery, degrade visitors' experiences along Memorial Circle and Memorial Avenue Corridor, and dishonor veterans' service.