President Donald Trump's 250-foot triumphal arch project was approved by a federal commission Thursday and will advance to the next step — despite nearly three hours of public opposition, The Washington Post reported.
The National Capital Planning Commission, which is led by Trump's allies, voted to advance the project near Arlington Cemetery after hearing from about 30 people, including parents of soldiers buried there, residents, military veterans and architects, according to The Post. The Trump administration and architects were tasked with providing more information about the design ahead of the final vote, expected in September.
Trump has been eager to begin the project and try to complete it before the end of his term, The Post reported.
"I think it’s long overdue as something that should be seriously considered in the city," said Trump appointee Paul Ingrassia, who serves as a commissioner on the panel.
"Reject this hasty and inappropriate proposal. Respect public opinion and engage in a deliberative design process to ensure that we end up with a fitting memorial for America’s 250th anniversary," said Priya Jain, chair of the heritage conservation committee at the Society of Architectural Historians.
Democrats have argued the project needs congressional approval. But Trump doesn't agree.
The president has insisted that the nation's capital needs its own arch that is larger than the other global arches — his design is meant to rival the 164-foot-tall Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
"It was meant to be built for many years," Trump said in May. "We don’t need anything from Congress."