Trump's D.C. 'Great Arch' Plan Approved by Fine Arts Commission Amid Controversy

The Commission of Fine Arts, led by allies of U.S. President Trump, approved the design for a massive triumphal arch in Washington D.C. today, despite lawsuits from several private groups aiming to stop the landmark construction that could alter the city's skyline. The commission voted 4-0 to approve the construction; Trump had replaced all members of the commission with his own appointees last year. According to AFP, Trump wants to build the arch outside Arlington National Cemetery, eager to leave a large personal landmark in the U.S. capital. The planned arch is 250 feet high, topped with large gilded statues of angels and eagles. Trump claims it will be the tallest in the world, surpassing the 164-foot Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Like the demolition and renovation of the White House East Wing, the project has sparked controversy for bypassing Congress. Trump told reporters today, 'We're doing it... we don't need any input from Congress.' Groups including Vietnam War veterans have filed lawsuits, arguing the process was illegal and that the structure would ruin the view from Arlington National Cemetery, one of the most sacred sites in the U.S.