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Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump’s hand-picked art commission is clearing the way for its construction.
What happened? On Thursday, the Commission on Fine Arts signed off on Trump’s plans for a 250-foot-tall triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, which. critics warn it would reduce its environment and “fundamentally (change) the carefully preserved atmosphere.”
Trump has said the arch, intended to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, would do the same celebrate yourself.
What is the context? The vote is another rubber stamp from a group that wants to let Trump fix DC as he sees fit: Earlier this year, the commission also approved it. Trump’s plan for a new ballroom on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House and a gold commemorative coin carrying the face of the president.
The enthusiasm of the panel is not surprising, as all seven members were appointed by Trump earlier this year. The committee’s vice chairman, James McCrery II, was the original designer of Trump’s lobby, while another member, Chamberlain Harris, currently works in the White House.
Will it be built? We will see. Arch still needs to clear the additional Trump-friendly committee, which shouldn’t be a hindrance, but the Trump administration is also facing a lawsuit to stop the project from a group of Vietnam veterans.
The lawsuit alleges that the arch, which would be built on National Park Service land, also requires congressional approval. Administration, meanwhile, he argues that it could rely on the 1924 report to approve the arch, without having to go back to Congress today.
what is the main picture? Things like the arch and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool – now being repainted with help from Trump’s golf club manager – may feel second-rate compared to Trump public corruption and the war of choice, but they are all part of the same story: a president and administration increasingly out of favor with public opinion.
And so, it’s time to leave…
Hello readers, let’s start with a software note: Logoff will be off tomorrow and Monday for the long weekend. I hope you have a good holiday!
Now, some amazing news from my colleague Dylan Scott: Scientists are finally making real progress towards it treat pancreatic cancer after decades of failure. You can read his full story and giveaway link hereand we’ll see you on Tuesday!
