President Donald Trump has ordered the commencement of excavation efforts for his proposed 'Great Triumphal Arch' before securing the final federal green light, according to a statement from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The project, which has drawn criticism for its scale and location, is set to begin within the next two weeks on Memorial Circle, near Arlington National Cemetery.

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) preliminarily approved the design on July 9, but the project still needs to address several comments, including the structure's height, which could violate the 1910 Height of Buildings Act. The NCPC's concerns also include potential obstructed sightlines of historical landmarks.

Despite the criticisms, the arch is being billed as a celebratory marker for America's 250th anniversary, with a military observation deck and statues of gold eagles and a winged figure. It has already been dubbed the 'Arc de Trump' by critics.

The move has sparked a debate on the balance between historic preservation and political symbolism, with the project facing opposition from preservationists and environmentalists.