Survey work has begun for President Donald Trump's proposed Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C., marking the latest step in the contentious project. Workers were seen inspecting the site between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, with part of the area fenced off and pink survey flags planted in the grass.
Legal and Procedural Context
The work was announced in a court filing Thursday in a federal lawsuit challenging the arch. It includes surveys and geotechnical testing to help the National Park Service (NPS) complete procedural prerequisites for decision-making. The filing emphasized that the survey does not constitute construction or preparation for demolition.
Design and Controversy
The 250-foot-tall arch, designed by Trump, has received early approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by the president. The monument features four lions at its base, a torch held by a Lady Liberty-like figure, flanked by two eagles, all gilded. Inscriptions reading "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" would appear in gold lettering. Critics, including a group of veterans and a historian, have sued to block construction, arguing the arch would disrupt the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House.
The White House and the Public Citizen Litigation Group, representing the plaintiffs, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The court filing stated that the NPS has not issued a final action authorizing construction and would provide at least 14 days' notice before any work begins. The plaintiffs were notified of the survey work beforehand.
