Donald Trump has asserted that he does not require congressional approval for his proposed 250-foot arch in Washington, D.C., citing a 1925 report that authorised similar plans. The arch, dubbed the “Arch de Trump” by the White House, is part of a series of “beautification” projects the president is pursuing despite public opposition.
The design was approved by the Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were all appointed by Trump. However, the land is protected under federal law, normally requiring congressional authorisation. Two officials told The Washington Post there are “no active plans” to seek such approval, instead referencing a 1925 Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission report that approved a pair of 166-foot columns framing the Lincoln Memorial, which were never built.
Justice Department lawyers argued in a filing that “Congress authorised the arch project when it approved the design set out in Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission’s report.” Trump himself stated, “We don't need anything from Congress. We don't have a triumphal arc, so it was meant to be built for many years.”
Critics have dismissed the justification as “laughable” and “absurd.” Wendy Liu of Public Citizen Litigation Group, representing veterans suing over the project, said, “The notion Congress a century ago authorised construction of this 250-foot arch in Memorial Circle is absurd.” Democratic Representative Jared Huffman added, “The fact that they’re trotting out this tortured argument that a 100-year-old authorisation for something totally different satisfies a law today is laughable.”
The arch is one of several projects Trump has pursued without congressional approval, including demolishing the historic East Wing for a $400 million ballroom and resurfacing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Democrats have called for an oversight hearing, arguing the changes “demand at least a hearing by the Committee.”
