Advisory Council ends historic review for Trump's proposed D.C. arch

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has terminated the federal historic preservation review for a proposed 250-foot-tall triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. The decision, announced by ACHP Vice Chairman Travis Voyles, ends the Section 106 consultation process mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act.

The National Park Service (NPS) indicated that further consultation was unlikely to result in an agreement to resolve the project's impact on historic sites. The agency noted that alternatives intended to avoid or reduce harm would alter the “fundamental nature” of the project and fail to meet its objectives. The administration's decision follows significant public backlash, with over 107,000 comments submitted to the D.C. Preservation Office, the majority of which were negative.

Preservation groups, including The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), expressed shock at the move. TCLF described the termination as “extraordinary and dangerous,” arguing that the administration is bypassing authentic public engagement. The proposed arch is acknowledged to have “adverse effects” on several landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial and views of Arlington National Cemetery.