President Trump’s Triumphal Arch is one step closer to becoming a reality now that the public comment phase has been concluded. The National Park Service released a report indicating the “adverse effects” that the arch would have on numerous sight lines from some of the most iconic monuments and historic sites in Washington, D.C.
Unfortunately, the reporting of this will leave the public with the impression that the NPS supports this project. The headline in a recent USA Today article declares, “Park Service supports Trump’s huge arch, despite harms to other landmarks” while CNBC announced, “National Park Service backs Trump’s 250-foot arch despite ‘adverse effects’ on historic sites.”
As all of you know, the NPS falls under the Department of the Interior, which is part of the executive branch. Doug Burgum, who serves as the Interior Department’s secretary, has basically functioned as a rubber stamp for the president’s policies, including his so-called beautification projects in and around the National Mall. We all know how that went.
It is important to recognize that the NPS did not approve Trump’s plan and in the current political environment it makes even less sense to report that the agency “supports” this project no more than it supported the disastrous relining of the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
This agency is caught up in Trump’s delusions and utter incompetency when it comes to anything connected to construction and restoration. The evidence is all around us.
Rank and file employees certainly don’t support this project. I heard this directly from numerous friends in the agency during my week-long visit this past July. The NPS has been without a permanent director since January 2025. Jessica Bowron is the current acting director.
As one NPS employee put it to me yesterday, “We are rudderless.”
NPS, specifically the staff at the George Washington Memorial Parkway, will be responsible for maintaining the site of the arch once it is completed.
The NPS has already added a page for the Triumphal Arch:
The proposed United States Triumphal Arch (the Arch) would serve as a signature monumental structure honoring the nations 250th anniversary and contributing to Washington, D.C.s tradition of honoring national principles. Drawing on the historic Roman precedent of erecting freestanding arches to celebrate civic achievement, the Arch is envisioned as a prominent addition to the capitals architectural landscape in the monumental core.
Let’s never forget that when initially asked what the arch would celebrate, Trump responded: “Me.”
I have little doubt at this point that it will be completed and that all of the warnings issued by the NPS and other agencies will be realized. This did not and should never have happened. [By the way, please don’t respond in the comments section below that the next administration will somehow take it down. Once this arch is completed, it will be incredibly difficult to remove.]
Last night I posted some commentary about this on Bluesky and within minutes people came out of the woodwork to suggest, based on the headline of the article shared, that the NPS is complicit and that staff should resign in protest.
There is nothing worse in the social media ecosystem than self-righteous keyboard warriors.
It was reported this week that President Trump is planning on selling off part of Yosemite National Park to private developers. Should the staff at Yellowstone resign in protest? Of course not.
Readers of this newsletter are well aware of the challenges faced by the NPS since the start of Trump’s second term. He has forced thousands of dedicated employees out of the agency and has demonized its staff and denigrated the hard work that these men and women do for all of us. They have remained at their posts and continue to greet visitors with a welcoming smile and a determination to make their visits meaningful and memorable.
As I’ve said over and over, the NPS deserve our thanks and continued support during these trying times.
