Amna Nawaz
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WATCH: Burgum says colossal triumphal arch is being built for Americans. Trump has said it's for him
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May 13, 2026
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3:54Now PlayingU.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot-tall arch is for the "American people," even though the president has previously said it's for himself.
During a House committee hearing, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., pressed Burgum on Trump's ongoing construction projects, including the Triumphal Arch and Reflecting Pool, as Americans face rising costs.
"It's hard to understand how these projects to stroke Trump's ego do anything for the American people with their day-to-day struggles to afford daily life," Huffman said.
Huffman asked Burgum, "Who is the arch being built for?"
"For the American people," Burgum said after some back-and-forth.
Huffman pushed back on Burgum's answer, noting Trump's past comments that the arch is for himself. A CBS News reporter asked Trump who the arch was for in October, after the president first proposed it. Trump said, "Me."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last month that the arch would celebrate America's 250-year history.
“The United States triumphal arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250-year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” she said.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, made up entirely of members appointed by Trump, approved the design concept of the arch last month. The proposed site for the arch is located between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
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