Key facts
- A federal advisory council terminated consultations on Donald Trump's planned 250-foot arch.
- The council cited disagreements with historic preservation officers from Washington and Virginia.
- Senator Tammy Duckworth called the arch plans 'foolhardy' and a 'vanity project'.
- The arch is planned near Arlington National Cemetery and Reagan National Airport.
- The FAA ruled the structure would not pose a risk to flights.
- Congressman Don Beyer reported excavation work had begun at the site.
The Trump administration's plan to construct a 250-foot arch has advanced after a federal advisory council ended consultations regarding its potential impact on nearby historic sites. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, led by Trump appointees, announced on Thursday it was concluding required discussions, stating that historic preservation officers from Washington and Virginia had refused to approve harm-mitigation plans.
Construction was anticipated to commence this month, but the project has faced growing opposition. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat, has strongly criticized the arch's proposed location near Arlington National Cemetery and its potential use for defense, calling it 'foolhardy' and 'yet another Trump vanity project.' In a letter to the Pentagon and FAA, Duckworth urged them to reject the plan and prioritize airspace safety, particularly in light of a past midair crash near Reagan National Airport. The FAA, however, previously determined that the structure would not endanger flights.
The Advisory Council stated that while the National Park Service proposed a mitigation plan, local historic preservation officers raised concerns about the arch's purpose and the adequacy of proposed actions. Federal and state officials are not obligated to agree on mitigation plans, and consultations can be terminated if consensus is not reached. A final report from the council is expected early next month.
Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Don Beyer reported that excavation work, described as archaeological soil evaluation, had already started at the site. Beyer expressed concern that the administration is proceeding with site activity without fully understanding the project's consequences, especially given the requirement for 48 hours' notice before such work can begin.