# Trump's arch plan moves ahead despite opposition

> A federal advisory council ends consultations on Trump's 250-foot Triumphal Arch near Arlington, clearing the way for construction to begin.
- Title: Trump's arch plan moves ahead despite opposition · BBC News
- Summary: A federal advisory council ends consultations on Trump's 250-foot Triumphal Arch near Arlington, clearing the way for construction to begin. Trump's…
- Keywords: donald trump, triumphal arch, arlington national cemetery, virginia, tammy duckworth, faa, historic preservation, ronald reagan washington national airpor, news, world, Trump's, arch
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq0lrr8kxy0lo
- Published: 2026-09-25T18:27:46.047+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, triumphal arch, arlington national cemetery, virginia, tammy duckworth, faa, historic preservation, ronald reagan washington national airpor, news, world
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Trump's Triumphal Arch project near Arlington National Cemetery is moving forward after a federal council ended required consultations with local officials over historic preservation concerns.