Trump administration officials sideline local historians in arch review

The National Capital Planning Commission, led by Trump appointees, is slated to discuss the arch in the fall. Concerns have been raised by commission staff regarding the arch's height, and by the public about its negative impacts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation stated that the mitigation plan requires a complete overhaul following President Trump's announcement that the arch will also serve as a military complex, complete with ammunition storage and sniper positions.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has requested public comments on the arch and its effects on historic properties by September 29, with the council planning to submit its own comments to the Interior Department by October 7. The NPS had previously identified dozens of historic properties that would be negatively affected by the arch due to blocked views and altered sightlines.

A veterans group and others have filed a lawsuit to halt the arch's construction, which officials appear poised to begin later this fall. A federal judge had previously ordered the Interior Department to provide 14 days' notice before commencing any construction. On September 3, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that excavation work would commence within the next two weeks, which was described as an archeological assessment rather than the start of construction.