WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced plans to construct a statue display honoring notable Americans in a heavily regulated park beside the Potomac River, potentially setting up another legal battle over his administration’s approach to bypassing traditional approval procedures as he pushes forward with major changes to the nation’s capital.
Through a Friday morning social media announcement, Trump revealed the National Garden of American Heroes would be constructed in West Potomac Park, an area adjacent to the National Mall that houses the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The location also contains multiple fields and volleyball courts that local athletic groups use regularly.
In his announcement, Trump characterized the location as a “totally BARREN field of Prime Waterfront Real Estate along our Mighty Potomac River.”
The president indicated the garden would mark America’s 250th anniversary through sculptures honoring 250 notable Americans who contributed significantly to the nation’s cultural, political and historical development. He initially proposed this concept during 2020’s Fourth of July festivities and has positioned it as his answer to demonstrations that led to removing disputed monuments, particularly those celebrating slave owners and Confederate figures.
During his first term’s closing days, Trump, a Republican, issued an executive order identifying 244 individuals including Ronald Reagan and Jackie Robinson for statue recognition in the garden. The concept stalled during President Joe Biden’s administration, but Congress allocated $40 million through Trump’s major tax and spending legislation last year to acquire the statues specified in his executive orders.
However, this funding may not satisfy the approval requirements typically necessary for significant National Mall area projects. Federal regulations mandate that projects and memorials receive authorization from various design and planning committees.
The White House has not yet responded to inquiries about whether it plans to pursue such approvals or if statue contracts have been finalized.
Washington’s monumental center ranks among the country’s most strictly controlled areas, designed to preserve viewing corridors and block new development that might compromise the region’s historical significance. Given approval procedures, design disagreements and funding obstacles, area modifications can require years or decades to complete. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, among the National Mall’s most recent additions, required 21 years to finish after Congress initially authorized it in 1999.
Trump and his allies have demonstrated minimal commitment to adhering to established protocols. He rapidly ordered the draining and repainting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool this month. He abruptly demolished the White House East Wing last year to construct a ballroom. Trump’s name now appears on the Kennedy Center’s exterior, which he intends to close this summer for a two-year renovation project.
This week alone, crews started initial surveys and site testing for a proposed triumphal arch Trump wants constructed between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Workers fenced portions of the area and placed pink survey markers in the grass.
Additionally, the Trump administration continues advancing plans to convert East Potomac Park from its current public golf course into what Trump calls a “U.S. Open-caliber course.” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum released a design proposal Thursday for the upgraded course, stating it would offer “championship-quality golf at affordable, highly discounted rates.”
The proposal offered limited information about public access to the park, which runners and cyclists frequently use.
Nearly all these projects face ongoing legal challenges.
