The Trump administration announced Thursday that excavation work on a 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., will begin within two weeks, marking the start of one of the president’s most ambitious construction projects. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed the timeline on social media, stating the federal government is preparing to launch the excavation necessary for the monument.
The planned arch, located at Memorial Circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, is designed to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The structure’s design, modeled after Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, would tower more than twice as tall as the Lincoln Memorial, making it the dominant architectural feature in the area.
The project has received preliminary approval from two federal commissions: the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the design in May 2026, and the National Capital Planning Commission gave preliminary approval in July 2026. However, the arch still lacks final federal authorization, and the Trump administration is moving forward despite the lack of complete approval and ongoing legal challenges.
Construction is planned to proceed on an aggressive schedule. The work will operate 20 hours a day for two to three years, requiring heavy equipment including tower cranes, forklifts, skid steers, and drill rigs. This intensive schedule reflects the administration’s goal to complete the monument during Trump’s current term in office.
The project faces significant legal opposition. Vietnam War veterans, along with an architectural historian, filed a federal lawsuit in February 2026 challenging the construction. The veterans argue that the Trump administration has failed to comply with federal laws requiring congressional approval and proper authorization procedures for new monuments on federal land. As of September 4, the veterans have sought emergency court action to block the excavation work, though the administration appears determined to proceed.
The arch represents Trump’s broader push to reshape Washington’s infrastructure through executive authority. Recent Supreme Court rulings have allowed Trump to continue White House ballroom construction, emboldening the administration to move forward with projects despite legal hurdles. Trump has stated he does not plan to seek approval from Congress for the arch, arguing that new federal construction projects fall outside the scope of congressional oversight.
The construction timeline is notably aggressive compared to historical precedent. The Lincoln Memorial took eight years to build, from 1914 to 1922, while the Washington Monument required 36 years of construction spread across multiple periods due to funding interruptions and the Civil War. By contrast, the Trump administration aims to complete a 250-foot structure in just two to three years.
Sources
- Washington Post — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s announcement of excavation work beginning within two weeks; description of the arch as one of Trump’s top construction priorities
- CBS News — Construction timeline of 20 hours per day for two to three years; equipment requirements; preliminary design approvals from federal commissions
- Reuters — Trump administration plans to break ground despite legal challenges and lack of final federal approval
- AP News — U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approval of the arch design
- NPR — Vietnam War veterans’ lawsuit filed in February 2026 challenging the project
- CNN — Veterans seeking emergency court action to block excavation work
- USA Today — Construction timeline and aggressive work schedule details
- The Guardian — Excavation work scheduled to begin in September 2026; arch designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary
