April 14, 2026, 1:23 p.m. ET
President Donald Trump is proposing a 250‑foot “Triumphal Arch” near Arlington National Cemetery, and new renderings show what the controversial monument could look like.
The Trump administration released images of the proposed structure, which would be built at Memorial Circle on Columbus Island between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery as part of the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The plan has sparked both support and legal opposition from veterans’ groups.
In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, White House spokesperson David R. Ingle said the arch “will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike.”
Here’s what to know about the arch. Check out the video above to see where it’s planned to go in DC.
What will the arch look like?
Renderings show the proposed landmark bearing similarities to Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. The Trump arch, dubbed the “Arc de Trump” by critics, would feature 24‑foot‑tall golden eagles, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.
A gold‑winged angel would sit atop the arch, with inscriptions reading “One Nation Under God” on one side and “Liberty and Justice for All” on the other.
The administration has estimated the arch would be about 250 feet tall, exceeding the height of the Lincoln Memorial and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts is expected to review the project this week. The commission is an independent federal agency that provides advice to the president, DC government and Congress on matters of design and aesthetics that impact federal interests.
After coming into office, Trump fired six members of the commission who had been appointed by former President Joe Biden and appointed several replacements.
How much will the arch cost?
The White House has not released cost estimates for the project.
Axios reported in November that the arch could cost about $100 million. The White House told USA TODAY on April 13 that costs are still being calculated and will be shared once finalized.
“We anticipate some combination of public and private funds to be used to pay for the Triumphal Arch,” the White House said, adding that the project is expected to be completed by the end of Trump’s second term.
Legal challenge
A group of Washington-area residentsis suing to block construction of the arch, citing concerns that the Trump administration failed to follow federal law limiting new commemorative works in the area, according to Reuters.
Members of the group argue that allowing construction to proceed would cause irreversible harm to a protected historic landscape in the heart of the capital.
In response to the lawsuit, the White House said the arch will be “one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, DC, but throughout the world.”
The arch will serve “as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250-year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today,” Ingle said in a statement.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com.
