Donald Trump has created massive controversy with his White House Ballroom, which would dwarf the White House, and has already led to the destruction of the East Wing of the White House and the White House Rose Garden.
His proposed Independence Arch to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence present many problems.
Trump wants a 250 foot Arch, which would represent a 16-20 story building, would dwarf the White House itself, and is meant to be an American version of the Paris, France L’Arc de Triomphe, which stands at 164 feet. Other equivalent monuments are in Mexico City at 220 feet, and in the capital of North Korea at 197 feet, so the purpose is to create the greatest height monument in the world to satisfy Trump’s massive ego and insecurity.
It would be situated across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial, but would pose a hazard to air travel at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the District of Columbia.
The structure of the proposed Arch would be 165 feet tall and 165 feet wide, with a 25 foot pedestal and a massive 60 foot gilt bronze Lady Liberty sculpture on top.
The arch would be about half the size of the Washington Monument, which is 555 feet tall and more than double the 99 foot tall Lincoln Memorial. The White House is 60 feet tall, so would be far less impressive by comparison. Iconic views of Arlington National Cemetery would be lost.
Environmental and historic preservation factors, along with Arlington National Cemetery and the Federal Aviation Administration, are part of the review process, although Trump has appointed members of key commissions that have to consider and decide on the project moving forward.