The Commission of Fine Arts granted final approval Wednesday, May 21, to President Trump’s proposed towering arch — even though parts of the design aren’t finished yet.
The vote clears another federal hurdle for the project, which has drawn sharp public criticism. What’s still missing: several visual components of the arch haven’t been submitted for review, according to NPR’s reporting.
Congress and the question of authority
Trump said Thursday that he doesn’t need congressional approval to move forward with the arch. That claim is likely to face scrutiny on Capitol Hill, though no immediate response from lawmakers was reported.
The Commission of Fine Arts is a federal body that reviews designs for monuments, buildings, and other structures in Washington, D.C. Its sign-off carries weight, but it isn’t the only checkpoint a project like this would typically face.
Public pushback hasn’t slowed the approval process so far. The commission voted to approve despite opposition voiced during the review period, and critics haven’t been quiet about their objections to the scale and aesthetics of the planned structure.
Whether Congress will challenge Trump’s assertion that he can bypass legislative approval remains an open question. No hearing or formal response had been scheduled as of Thursday.
NPR reported this story on May 21, 2026. Read the original report.
