DC planning commission chair defends Trump arch against criticism that it violates height law
William Scharf, chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, defended President Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., suggesting that the Height of Buildings Act may not apply to federal projects. Despite concerns from witnesses about the arch obstructing historic views, Scharf called for a formal legal justification from Trump's team before a final vote. The proposed monument is part of an initiative to celebrate the country's 250th birthday.
- ▪William Scharf suggested that the Height of Buildings Act does not apply to Trump's proposed arch.
- ▪Concerns were raised about the arch obstructing views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
- ▪Scharf cited historical precedents where federal projects exceeded height restrictions without congressional waivers.
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| Original publisher | Washington Examiner |
| Canonical URL | https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4595866/dc-planning-commission-trump-arch-height/ |
| Publication time | Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:55:10 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-06-04T21:06:07.437Z |
| Last seen | 2026-06-04T21:06:07.437Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
National Capital Planning Commission Chairman William Scharf on Thursday suggested a federal law that restricts how tall buildings can be in Washington, D.C., does not apply to President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch in the city, paving the way for the 250-foot project to receive full approval. Scharf, a Trump appointee, conceded during a commission meeting that the NCPC has long interpreted the Height of Buildings Act as applying to federal projects. After much deliberation, he has concluded that in the “best reading of the law,” the law is not applicable to federal construction, such as the proposed arch, telling colleagues that he finds “NCPC’s position is a little odd to me from a legal perspective.” Still, Scharf pushed Trump’s team to provide a formal legal justification…
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