By Victoria Craw
Publication Date: 2026-10-22 12:30:00
The Trump administration said Wednesday night that construction on President Donald Trump’s planned triumphal arch could begin immediately after the National Capital Planning Commission meets next month.
“Construction could commence as early as November 5, 2026,” if the commission approves the towering arch and the Interior Department formally authorizes it that same day, the Justice Department said in a court filing. A federal judge has been weighing whether to halt the project, but Trump officials have argued that intervention is premature given that work has not begun.
Trump has packed the commission, which reviews federal construction projects, with allies who are expected to approve his project. The administration this week added several political appointees as alternate commissioners, replacing career officials, ahead of next month’s vote.
Veterans groups, local advocacy organizations and historic preservationists have called for the administration to scale down the…
