1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose President Trump's proposal to construct a 250-foot triumphal arch, the so-called "Arc de Trump," on land between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery overlooking the Potomac River. This project threatens the integrity of our nation's most sacred memorial landscape and should not receive the congressional approval it requires. The proposed structure would dwarf the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery. Calder Loth, a retired senior architectural historian, warned that the arch would make Arlington House look like a dollhouse or block views entirely. Art critic Catesby Leigh stated plainly that the arch doesn't belong at that location. These are not partisan objections but professional assessments from experts who understand the historical and architectural significance of this landscape. Trump has rejected smaller versions of 165 feet and 123 feet in favor of the 250-foot design specifically to make it larger than Paris's Arc de Triomphe, which stands at 164 feet. His stated goal is for it to be "the biggest one of all" befitting "the biggest, most powerful nation." This reasoning prioritizes spectacle over appropriateness and disregards the careful planning that has preserved Washington's memorial core for generations. The project would be funded with leftover private donations from Trump's White House ballroom project, including contributions from Amazon, Google, and Lockheed Martin. However, private funding does not eliminate the need for proper oversight of our public spaces. The design requires approval from various panels and possibly Congress. I ask that you publicly oppose this project and vote against any congressional authorization it may require. Our national monuments deserve protection from projects that prioritize personal legacy over historical context and architectural harmony. Alternative sites like Barney Circle or near the Anacostia River have been suggested by experts as more appropriate locations if such a structure must be built at all.