Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stood before a scale model of a 250-foot triumphal arch on Thursday, promising a monument that embodies the American dream. The massive structure is slated to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary with a level of glitter that has Washington traditionalists reaching for their smelling salts. A federal panel gave the early design its blessing this week, ignoring the groans of critics who find the gold-plated statues a bit much.

A black baseball hat reading MAKE DESIGN GREAT AGAIN sat on the table as the Commission of Fine Arts chairman called the president’s idea beautiful. Not everyone is in a celebratory mood. Architecture critic Michael Kimmelman told the New York Times the arch is an insult to veterans that will block the view of Arlington National Cemetery. He argued that dignity comes from proportion and judgment, not sheer size and glitter.

The commission did suggest one small tweak to the opulence. One member proposed leaving out some of the gold-plated statues to downsize the project. For now, the dream of a skyscraper-sized victory lap remains on the table. It is the ultimate neoclassical flex for a capital city that apparently needs more acanthus leaves and columns.