Washington Prepares for Groundbreaking of the Controversial 'Arc de Trump' Monument

Construction is set to begin shortly on the newly designated 'Arc de Trump' monument in Washington, as US President Donald Trump seeks to leave a lasting impression on the capital's skyline.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that excavation for the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island will commence within the next two weeks. Situated between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, the structure is designed to serve as a grand gateway for visitors entering the US capital via the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Described by Mr Burgum as a potential masterpiece of American architecture, the monument was first unveiled by Mr Trump at a White House dinner in October. Often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, artistic plans depict a towering white structure featuring the phrase "one nation under God" inscribed in gold at the top, crowned by a gilded winged figure with a torch and flanked by twin eagles.

This initiative forms part of a broader effort by Mr Trump to revitalize the appearance of the nation's capital. While previous endeavors have included cleaning up neglected sites like the Columbus Circle fountain at Union Station, other projects have faced criticism and setbacks. Notably, a costly renovation of the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial encountered immediate material failures, which Mr Trump attributed to vandalism.