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Washington D.C., is known for its grand monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial.
But now, a new towering structure may soon join that iconic skyline.
The Trump administration has officially unveiled design plans for a 250-foot Triumphal Arch to be built near Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, April 11, 2026.
This arch features an angelic statue of a winged Lady Liberty with a torch and a crown, with two eagles and four golden lions surrounding her. The word "One Nation Under God" will be inscribed in gold.
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What is the Triumphal Arch?
Triumphal Arch, a monument in Washington D.C., is expected to reach 250 feet, which is equal to 1 foot for each year since America achieved its independence.
In the 12-page report, published by the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, the monument is described with the inscriptions “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All,” written in gold letters on both sides.
This monument is to be constructed in Memorial Circle, a circular road in Columbia Island, facing the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial on the opposite bank.
The monument itself will measure 166 feet, while the Lady Liberty statue on top of it will increase its height to 250 feet. There will be two 24-foot eagles and four big golden lions at the base to complete the design.
President Trump believes that Washington D.C., deserves such a landmark. He called it "something so special." Also added, it will be similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but better than that.
“I am pleased to announce that TODAY my Administration officially filed the presentation and plans to the highly respected Commission of Fine Arts for what will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World. This will be a wonderful addition to the… pic.twitter.com/2CkiLuvn9z
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 10, 2026
How Did ‘Triumphal Arch’ Idea Start?
The idea of an arch in Washington D.C. was not something new. According to Trump, the country’s capital has been trying to establish such an arch for about 200 years. But plans were interrupted by the Civil War, and then another proposal was put forward in 1902. However, even that did not materialize.
The topic came up again after art critic Catesby Leigh, writing in “The American Mind”, a conservative magazine, stated that Washington D.C. remains “the only major Western capital without a monumental arch.”
In October 2025, Trump gave the press their first glimpse of his idea as he showed off a model of the arch that stood on his desk inside the Oval Office. When a journalist asked whom the arch was meant for, Trump replied, "Me. It's going to be beautiful."
By January 2026, Trump unveiled the final design of the structure, which measures 250 feet, representing one foot per year of America’s freedom.
Conclusion
The triumphal arch is not only an iconic structure, but it is also a message. This arch stands as high as 250 feet tall, featuring golden lions, golden eagles, and even Lady Liberty herself in order to create a national landmark that Washington D.C. would surely be proud of. The goal is to construct an iconic structure in Washington that would reflect the greatness of the country across the world.
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