Lawmakers Inform Interior Secretary of Congressional Approval Requirement for Proposed Trump Arch

A group of lawmakers has informed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service officials that a proposed 250-foot arch in Washington, D.C., honoring President Donald Trump cannot be constructed without congressional approval. In a letter sent on June 16, 2026, the lawmakers stated that proceeding with the project could lead to legal consequences. They cited the Commemorative Works Act, which requires congressional approval for memorials on federal land in the capital, noting that all previous memorials have followed this protocol. The letter also referenced a 1912 statute prohibiting the erection of structures on federal grounds without congressional authority, as well as the 1910 Height of Buildings Act, which limits building heights in Washington to 130 feet. The proposed arch, intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America's independence, would be located between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery and is estimated to take two to three years to complete. The lawmakers warned that officials involved in the project could face personal consequences, including fines or removal from office. National Capital Planning Commission Chairman William Scharf suggested that the Height of Buildings Act may not apply to federal construction, which could allow the project to proceed.