Trump Appointees Dismantle Historic Preservation Rules
Trump’s appointees at the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation are moving to dismantle Section 106 regulations, a foundational federal rule protecting historic sites, to expedite construction of a 250-foot “Triumphal Arch” near Arlington National Cemetery. According to The Atlantic, the proposed amendments would grant federal agencies broader discretion to override preservation standards, prioritize damage mitigation over preventing harm to historic places, and eliminate requirements to evaluate alternative designs or locations before proceeding with projects.
Vice Chair Travis Voyles instructed council members to vote on the revisions by July 17, with at least seven of 24 members appointed by Trump. The arch, estimated to cost $100 million and featuring a golden winged figure flanked by gilded eagles, would require 20-hour construction workdays over two to three years. The National Capital Planning Commission, chaired by Trump appointee William Scharf, has already voted to advance the project, bringing it closer to breaking ground despite Trump’s rejection of the need for congressional approval.
Three Vietnam War veterans filed suit in February to block the arch’s construction, contesting whether Trump obtained proper authorization. Commission staff acknowledged significant gaps in the project plan requiring additional details before final approval, yet the administration has continued advancing it without addressing those deficiencies.
A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll from April found 52 percent of Americans opposed the arch compared to 21 percent in favor, yet Trump administration officials maintain they are “following all legal requirements.” The administration’s pattern of bypassing competitive bidding for rush projects has extended to recent contracts, including a $5 million no-bid agreement to gild statues near the Lincoln Memorial.
Trump’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, which ballooned from $1.8 million to $13.1 million, developed algae problems shortly after completion, exemplifying the administration’s hasty approach to federal monument projects. The arch represents another instance of the administration weaponizing federal agencies stacked with loyal appointees to bypass regulatory oversight and democratic process.