"Arc de Trump" receives preliminary design approval from arts commission

Politics "Arc de Trump" receives preliminary design approval from arts commission By Arden Farhi Arden Farhi Washington bureau managing editor Arden Farhi is the managing editor for CBS News' Washington bureau. He has covered several presidential campaigns and the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. His executive producer credits include "The Takeout with Major Garrett" and the CBS News original podcast "Agent of Betrayal," and his work has been recognized with two Emmy Awards, a DuPont Award and a NY Festivals gold medal. Read Full Bio Arden Farhi Updated on: April 16, 2026 / 2:19 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google A Trump-appointed commission tasked with reviewing public buildings in Washington, D.C., raised questions about but ultimately gave preliminary design approval to one of President Trump's architectural priorities: a 250-foot stone arch that would tower above the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The commissioners questioned project architect Nicolas Charbonneau about the arch's structural footings, pedestrian and wheelchair access and the golden statues atop the structure.  Rendering of Trump triumphal arch that would sit between Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery submitted by Interior Dept. to Commission on Fine Arts, April 16, 2026. The plans call for the arch to be built on Columbia Island, a man-made strip of land in the Potomac River that is part of Washington, D.C. The site is currently a grassy traffic circle at the foot of Memorial Bridge. The design features a gold-plated bronze Lady Liberty and two bald eagles — all three statues with their wings extended. "It seems odd," commissioner James McCrery said of the winged figures. Two golden lion statues would flank the arch structure as well. "I'd say work on the lions," said McCrery, who also suggested building a larger doorway, eliminating an underground access tunnel and, perhaps most controversially, making the arch smaller. McC...