The commission approved the proposal for the Trump-proposed victory arch in Washington

Washington - The United States Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), which is an independent agency of the federal government, has approved the design of a winning arch that is being promoted for construction in Washington by President Donald Trump. Trump's administration presented the proposal for the memorial back in April, which the commission has now approved in a slightly modified form, CBS News reported. The construction will feature gilded statues and gilded inscriptions.

The designs include an arch in ivory color, inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus and reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It is to be 76 meters tall. The design also includes golden decorative elements, including an 18-meter tall statue at the top resembling the Statue of Liberty with angelic wings. On either side are two 7.3-meter tall eagle statues.

The arch will also feature two excerpts from the American pledge of allegiance to the flag and the United States, namely One Nation Under God and Liberty and Justice for All.

The proposal presented by Trump's administration initially also included four gilded lion statues guarding the base of the arch. However, the lions have recently been removed from the plan.

"It's a beautiful building," said CFA Chairman Rodney Mims Cook just before the vote. The commission, whose members were all appointed by Trump according to CBS News, stated that the president considered removing the statues from the top of the arch, which would have reduced the height of the construction, but ultimately rejected that idea.

It is specifically the height of the arch, which will become a new landmark in the Washington D.C. area, that is drawing criticism. A group of veterans has filed a lawsuit regarding the construction, claiming it will disrupt the view and panorama between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The Lincoln Memorial is approximately 30 meters tall.

Trump has proposed a number of construction projects that will transform downtown Washington. Last year, he had the East Wing of the White House demolished, where a ballroom is being created. This month, he ordered the decorative water feature at the Lincoln Memorial to be drained and the bottom painted with blue pool paint, which he claims will beautify the metropolis ahead of the July celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the USA. For this anniversary, he wants to create a National Garden of American Heroes along the Potomac River in the capital.