Heinrich Demands Trump Admin Immediately Halt Construction of Trump’s 250-Foot Arch

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, led his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum demanding that the Trump administration stop work on President Trump's commemorative arch on federal property, which federal officials have admitted will harm historic sites on public lands, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

"We write with our continued concern that President Trump's proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch will cast a shadow over some of our nation's most historic monuments and memorials, as indicated in the National Park Service's (NPS) own assessment, and to renew our call for you to immediately halt work on the project," the lawmakers began.

Late last year, the President unveiled a plan to build a towering arch near a number of historic sites and landmarks, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. In response, Heinrich and his colleagues raised significant concerns about the legality of the arch and its impact on neighboring historic sites-demanding the administration halt construction of the President's latest vanity project. Those concerns have proven to be accurate. NPS' own assessment now confirms what we all have known to be true.

"Last month-under requirements set forth in section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act-NPS concluded that the President's illegal arch could adversely affect 37 historic sites in and around the nation's capital," the lawmakers continued. "The proposed arch would have the most pronounced impact on the Memorial Avenue Corridor Cultural Landscape, Arlington Memorial Bridge, and Arlington National Cemetery Historic District. Other historic sites built decades ago, such as National Mall, U.S. Capitol, and Washington Monument, would also be affected by the construction of the arch. Section 106 is clear: the administration must seek to "avoid, minimize, or mitigate," adverse harm to historic sites."

"Putting the President's ego ahead of these memorials adds another stain on this administration's legacy," the lawmakers continued.

The lawmakers ended their letter by demanding that the Trump administration halt work on its 250-foot arch.

In April, Heinrich voted against a resolution in Senate Republicans' budget resolution that allowed for the construction of Trump's arch.

In March, Heinrich joined lawmakers in filing an amicus brief that would stop President Trump's plan to construct a commemorative arch on federal property. The amicus brief argues that President Trump's plan is illegal unless Congress authorizes it.

In addition to Heinrich, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

You can read the letter here and below.

We write with our continued concern that President Trump's proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch will cast a shadow over some of our nation's most historic monuments and memorials, as indicated in the National Park Service's (NPS) own assessment, and to renew our call for you to immediately halt work on the project.

Late last year, the President unveiled a plan to build a towering arch near a number of historic sites and landmarks, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. In response, we raised significant concerns about the legality of the arch and its impact on neighboring historic sites-demanding the Administration halt construction of the President's latest vanity project. Those concerns have proven to be accurate. NPS' own assessment now confirms what we all have known to be true.

Last month-under requirements set forth in section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act-NPS concluded that the President's illegal arch could adversely affect 37 historic sites in and around the nation's capital. According to the assessment, the arch would impact the "integrity" of historic sites and change "character-defining visual and spatial relationships." The proposed arch would have the most pronounced impact on the Memorial Avenue Corridor Cultural Landscape, Arlington Memorial Bridge, and Arlington National Cemetery Historic District. Other historic sites built decades ago, such as National Mall, U.S. Capitol, and Washington Monument, would also be affected by the construction of the arch. Section 106 is clear: the Administration must seek to "avoid, minimize, or mitigate," adverse harm to historic sites.

This threat is no longer hypothetical. You recently announced that the Administration intends to begin excavation work on the arch within two weeks despite the project lacking final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission and required reviews of aviation safety and historic preservation impacts. The next day, the veterans challenging the arch in federal court asked the court to intervene before ground is broken, and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the Administration to provide 48 hours' notice before undertaking any activity on Memorial Circle other than on-site information gathering. We share that same concern, and it underscores the urgency of our request.

Historic sites in and around the nation's capital have been carefully planned over decades and hold significant symbolic value to the nation and our shared history as Americans. In particular, the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and Arlington House form a single memorial landscape honoring the unity of our nation, its military history, and the ultimate sacrifice of service members who gave their lives to our nation. Putting the President's ego ahead of these memorials adds another stain on this Administration's legacy.

The Department should adhere to the highest standards in avoiding adverse impacts to some of our nation's most sacred memorials. We demand the Administration immediately halt work on the arch in light of the unavoidable damage it will do to these memorials to honor those who gave the greatest sacrifice for our nation's freedom.

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