Council ends arch consultations

A federal advisory council led by Trump appointees announced Thursday it was ending required consultations on the 250-foot Triumphal Arch project, saying local historic preservation officers refused to sign off on harm-mitigation plans.

Arch to house military equipment

Trump announced the Triumphal Arch would double as a complex to store military equipment, with the ability to deploy snipers and drones from the roof and plaza.

Duckworth calls plan foolhardy

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth blasted the arch as a vanity project, warning it poses risks near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about four miles from the site near Arlington National Cemetery.

“The American people cannot afford to stand witness to Trump's risky plan to place a 250-foot structure along a busy approach path, especially if he follows through on plans to station snipers on the arch and fly drones.”

FAA clears arch for safety

The FAA ruled last week that the massive structure would not pose a risk to flights coming into and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Excavation work already underway

Democratic Virginia Congressman Don Beyer says excavation work has already begun at the site, with workers conducting archaeological work when he visited Thursday, despite required forty eight hour notice rules.

“The Administration appears to be pushing ahead with activity at the site even while it still has not done the basic work necessary to understand the consequences of this project.”

Council to report next month

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation expects to submit a final report on the consultation process early next month, as construction was already expected to begin this month.