The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) unveiled the design for the "Gateway to Freedom" in Washington on 10/4. This project is one of several promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump to revitalize the capital and commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary.

Standing over 76 meters tall, the structure will dominate the traffic circle named "Memorial Circle" at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, adjacent to the memorial bridge of the same name.

The triumphal arch design in Washington is situated at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. *Photo: CFA*

At the base of the arch, each corner will feature golden lion statues. A golden Statue of Liberty, with outstretched golden wings, will crown the structure. Above the archway, the front and back facades will be carved with two messages from the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance: "one Nation under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" respectively.

This structure will be twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial, a national architectural icon within the National Mall park complex. President Trump previously stated his desire for the U.S. triumphal arch to surpass all similar architectural works globally, including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which stands nearly 50 meters tall.

"I want this to be the biggest structure because we are the biggest and most powerful nation," the U.S. President commented in January.

A golden Statue of Liberty placed atop the structure is a highlight. *Photo: CFA*

The triumphal arch design was unveiled days after the Trump administration reached a settlement regarding a lawsuit from a group of U.S. veterans and historical preservation experts. The settlement stipulates that the administration will inform the public at least two weeks before construction begins.

According to the lawsuit filed in February, veterans and U.S. history experts argued that the Trump administration's project would obstruct several unique views of the Arlington National Cemetery complex and clash with nearby iconic structures. The independent watchdog organization Public Citizen is also seeking to block the project, asserting that the Trump administration requires approval from Congress and federal review committees.

The National Endowment for the Humanities' budget spending plan, released last week, indicates that the triumphal arch project will raise funds from donors combined with a portion of taxpayer money. The White House Office of Management and Budget has allocated 2 million USD "from special initiative funds" and 13 million USD from various federal grants for the project.

Amidst differing opinions, President Trump continued to support the idea of building the triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery on 10/4. He stated that the structure would be "the greatest and most beautiful symbol in the world" and "a wonderful addition for the American people for decades to come."

By Thanh Danh (According to ABC, Politico, NBC)