During a recent White House holiday party, President Donald Trump announced that the primary focus for his domestic policy chief, Vince Haley, is the construction of a massive new triumphal arch in Washington D.C.
Haley, a former speechwriter and aide to Newt Gingrich who now leads the White House Domestic Policy Council, was praised by the President for his policy work. However, Trump highlighted that Haley’s main objective is now a specific infrastructure project rather than traditional domestic policy initiatives.
“I put Vince in charge of the triumphal arc,” Trump stated, referring to the project as a “policy thing that’s going to be unbelievable.”
Project Details and Location The President described the proposed monument as an homage to the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, though he insisted the American version would be superior. “It blows it away. Blows it away in every way,” Trump remarked.
The planned location for the arch is near the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery, positioned opposite the Lincoln Memorial. Trump noted that the site would complement existing monuments to Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln.
Domestic Policy Priorities The announcement comes at a time when the administration faces scrutiny over economic challenges, including rising health insurance premiums and the impact of tariffs on consumer goods. Despite these pressing issues, the President emphasized the arch as the singular focus for his top domestic advisor.
“That’s your primary thing,” Trump told Haley. “There is nothing that can compete with that.”
According to the President, Haley was deeply moved upon viewing a model of the proposed structure, describing his reaction as “teeming” with emotion. The project aims to create a landmark that rivals its Parisian counterpart, which was built in the early 19th century to honor French military victories.