The National Parks Service (NPS) is now accepting public comment on President Donald Trump’s proposed “Independence Arch” — a 250-foot commemorative arch in Washington, D.C. across from the Lincoln Memorial — from now until June 15, 2026.
The president announced his intention to pursue building “Independence Arch” during an October gathering at the White House for those who provided financial support to the $400 million ballroom project.
“We really need it,” President Trump said of the arch. “The United States is the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, and American presidents need to be able to host events at the White House that reflect the demands of the time, and that can… carry out the prestige of what we’re all doing.”
“Every time somebody rides over that beautiful bridge to the Lincoln Memorial, they literally say something is supposed to be here,” Trump added.
Last month, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts moved to approve the project, but because the land upon which the arch is set to be built is under NPS management, it too must green light the plan.
Critics have argued that the monument would disrupt the line of sight between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, the Virginia monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
These two structures were deliberately designed to face each other as a symbol of the nation’s fracture and subsequent reconciliation in the wake of the Civil War.
Three veterans and an architectural historian filed a lawsuit against the president in early February in an effort to stop the arch’s construction, questioning whether the president has the authority to move forward with projects on federal land in Washington, D.C., without congressional approval.
Under the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) and 40 U.S.C. § 8106, express authorization from Congress is needed before any monument or structure is built on federal reservations, parks, or public grounds in the nation’s capital.
[RELATED: Sen. Angus King Joins Colleagues on Amicus Brief Challenging President Trump’s “Independence Arch”]
Sen. Angus King (I), who joined an amicus brief in support of the effort to oppose the arch, submitted an inquiry to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) regarding the legality of Trump’s plan to build Independence Arch and was told that the CWA “would appear to govern the construction of the arch.”
“Likewise, § 8106 would appear to require congressional authorization to construct a memorial arch in Memorial Circle,” CRS explained.
Since being enacted in 1986, the CWA has facilitated the approval of over 40 projects. Under this law, commemorative works are subject to expert commissioning requirements and multiple rounds of review.
Court filings reported by the Washington Post indicate that the White House is arguing congressional approval for the project was given in 1925 when the legislature allowed for 166-foot-tall columns at the same location, a project that never came to fruition.
President Trump has previously called the Commission’s vote “fantastic,” adding that “we’re the only important and major city that doesn’t have one.”
[RELATED: Fine Arts Commissions Approves President Donald Trump’s “Independence Arch”]
The official NPS website explains that “the purpose of the proposed action is to celebrate 250 years of American independence by honoring America’s founding principles.”
“Drawing on the historic Roman precedent of erecting freestanding arches to celebrate civic achievement, the Arch is envisioned as a prominent addition to the capital’s architectural landscape in the monumental core,” NPS wrote.
Those who wish to weigh in on the project may submit comments online to the NPS through the agency’s Planning, Environment and Public website.
Comments may also be emailed to [email protected].
NPS will not be accepting comments from the public that are submitted using any other method.
Comments, including personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and emails, may be made publicly available.
I think it’s a frivolous waste of money myself , there are enough taxpayer maintained monuments in Washington already .
But ….But ….But ……with all that money that we saved by closing down USAID and the queer puppet shows for Ethiopia , the cocaine and frogs libido experiments , and the solar powered microwave ovens for Angolan Muslims , we’ve got plenty of money to waste somewhere else . Let Er Rip Donald .
If they won’t let you build your “ Ball Room “ then go ahead and build the stupid arch .