The Fine Arts Commission has officially given the green light to President Trump’s initiative to construct an Arc de Triomphe across the Memorial Bridge, facing the Lincoln Memorial in suburban Washington.
According to blueprints from the Interior Department, this monument will stand 250 feet tall, adorned with an eagle atop the Statue of Liberty. It’s intended to symbolize American exceptionalism and commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary this July. The arch is encapsulated in a classic Trump sentiment that asserts America’s pride in its greatness and the importance of building what a magnificent nation deserves.
This endeavor reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing push to revive classical architectural styles. Last summer, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Make Federal Architecture Beautiful Again,” instructing the General Services Administration to ensure that new federal buildings enhance and enrich public spaces, thereby elevating American values. The Arc is the latest manifestation of a movement aimed at reestablishing beauty as a civic ideal, and I fully support this vision.
Those who dismiss the Arch often seem to suggest that such a grand civic monument veers into ostentation or, surprisingly, authoritarianism. For instance, The New Yorker, a rather elitist publication, went as far as to label Trump’s arch as a component of a “dictatorship structure.”
Yet, I think most Americans inherently recognize that beauty in public spaces isn’t about authoritarianism; it’s a gift and a vital piece of our republican legacy. The design of the Arc de Triomphe harmonizes with the classical and democratic aesthetics of the Capitol, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial.
In stark contrast, the more recent modernist buildings in Washington, which the Trump administration aims to replace, tend to be quite unattractive and, in some ways, oppressive. Take the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building—it’s often described as a brutal eyesore. Then there’s the Hubert Humphrey Building that many liken to a relic from Soviet times. Even Dr. Ben Carson memorably remarked that the HUD building felt like “10 stories below ground.” These structures, situated in the heart of our capital, lower our expectations and might make citizens feel insignificant.
Conversely, the Arc de Triomphe conveys a powerful message. It proclaims that America is indeed great and that we should take pride in showcasing that.
I eagerly anticipate the progress of the Arc de Triomphe’s construction in the coming months and hope this project, along with efforts like the East Wing ballroom, will contribute significantly to enhancing the aesthetics of federal architecture. Earlier this year, I introduced the Federal Urban Beautification Act, which aims to codify what President Trump initiated in his executive order. My proposal seeks to ensure that classical structures like the Arc de Triomphe are built not just in Washington, but throughout the nation for years to come.
After all, beautiful architecture shouldn’t be limited to just those in Washington. I grew up in a trailer park in Columbia City, Indiana, and though my neighborhood didn’t resemble the National Mall, I found inspiration nearby. The Whitley County Courthouse, built in 1888, dominated our town square, its dome rising high. Each sighting reminded me that my community mattered, that its laws held significance, and that within those limestone walls, something grander than everyday life unfolded.
It’s crucial for Congress to codify these architectural principles into law, ensuring that more Americans can experience treasures like the Arc de Triomphe and courthouses akin to the Whitley County Courthouse.
These beautiful buildings will endure for generations. They deserve to be recognized and celebrated, just like this country does.
