The U.S. Justice Department stated on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, that President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington would not be finished until after his second term ends. The government estimates the project will take between 33 and 39 months to complete, with early excavation work potentially starting Thursday, Nov. 5, if it receives final regulatory clearance.
The proposed monument, modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is planned for a site near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, across the Potomac River from the capital. The project is part of a series of initiatives by the Trump administration to modify Washington landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a golf course in East Potomac Park, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
According to Justice Department filings, if the project is approved, an initial six to eight months would be dedicated to below-grade excavation and foundation work. Above-ground construction is not expected to begin until May 2027 at the earliest. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviewed the project's proximity to Reagan Washington National Airport and concluded it does not pose a safety risk, noting the structure will feature floodlight projectors and an eternal flame to ensure visibility for pilots.
Legal challenges brought by the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, seek to block the 76-meter structure, arguing that it lacks required congressional approval. Additionally, a group of veterans has filed suit, stating the monument would obstruct the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
The government argued before U.S. Judge Tanya Chutkan that the project should proceed, asserting that the height and location of the arch could serve as a defense against drone-based threats to the capital. While the FAA has cleared the project regarding flight corridors, opponents maintain the structure is "legally indefensible." If construction begins as soon as Thursday, the first observable changes for the public would be excavation activities at the site near the Memorial Bridge.
The National Capital Planning Commission is set to meet to consider approval on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, and the Department of the Interior indicated it may issue a final decision and necessary permits from the National Park Service on the same day. Judge Chutkan is currently considering the government's request to reject the legal efforts to halt the start of construction.