Trumpius Maximus: Presidential overhaul of D.C. channels Imperial Rome

President Donald Trump's renovation projects and "beautification" efforts to overhaul Washington, D.C., have not merely marked the most substantive revamp of the nation's capital in recent memory. They appear poised to leave such a mark on the city as to effectively refound it as a MAGA center.

From gilded equestrian statues, to triumphal arches, races in the city streets, and the expansion of the executive compound, the capital city is poised to enjoy a resurgence that more closely resembles those of Imperial Rome than modern bureaucratic liberal democracies. But the analogy fits into D.C.'s unique history, given the city was designed to deliberately invoke memories of that civilization. 

Trump's myriad projects have largely focused on renovating and restoring existing monuments, but he has gone further with entirely new construction projects, including plans for a literal triumphal arch. Combined with the deployment of the National Guard to crack down on crime and the general cleanup of the city, life in D.C. is set to be dramatically different by the time he leaves office. Here's a look at the biggest changes.

Praetorians in the city

In 2025, Trump called up the National Guard for deployment to the nation's capital as part of a pilot project for an urban crackdown on crime and illegal immigration. The city suffered from notoriously high crime rates under the Biden administration and in decades prior.

Upon the arrival of troops, which are set to remain in D.C. through the end of his term, the city witnessed a considerable drop in violent crime. Trump also used the troops for smaller projects, including landscaping and repair, graffiti cleanup and dismantling homeless camps.

Golden horses

Among the most visually striking of the projects was the gilding of the equestrian statues on the D.C. side of Arlington Memorial Bridge. The twin statues, known as "Arts of War" and "Arts of Peace," each received a coat of gold leaf.

Trump unveiled the completed project in July of this year, leading to some controversy over the $5.1 million spent on the gilding and mixed reactions from the public over their new aesthetic. Some jokes on social media went viral comparing them to monuments in Central Asia.

Bread and circuses

On the entertainment side, Trump has invested in the city's premier venue for the performing arts, namely the Kennedy Center. Upon returning to office, Trump sacked the center's board and appointed loyalists, who then made him chairman and swiftly named the complex's opera house after first lady Melania Trump. 

The board also revamped the center's program lineup to focus more on popular shows that would draw large audiences instead of relatively obscure and independent works. 

Efforts to place Trump's name on the complex, however, faced legal pushback, and the board was forced to abandon plans by court order. Notably, the center has faced financial hardship and is in need of considerable repairs. The board had argued that including Trump's name was necessary to secure his personal support for renovations. The complex's roof partially collapsed this year.

War against the sea itself

Some of Trump's projects have involved simple restorations of major monuments and public sites, which have suffered from neglect for years. Among the most high-profile of these has been the restoration of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, which sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial.

The project saw the administration reline and refill the pool, though not without some short-term setbacks, including alleged instances of vandalism and the swift return of algae in the pool. As of Friday, Trump said the Reflecting Pool was 85% refilled.

Gymnasia

Perhaps the most current of Trump's contentious restoration projects is his bid to revamp the East Potomac Golf Course, a public course between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel. The site has suffered from erosion, crumbling sea walls, litter and other degradation.

But like many of his projects, it has faced legal challenges, including from the D.C. Preservation League, which have led to intense squabbles with federal judges.

The palace

Few sites in the city have received a greater overhaul than the White House compound itself. In fewer than two years, Trump has turned the iconic Rose Garden into an outdoor patio, installed a permanent helicopter landing pad, and demolished an entire wing to make room for a ballroom, which has been a fixture in headlines for months.

Though the National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the administration over the ballroom and secured several stays throughout the process, Trump ultimately prevailed and managed to secure a court win. The ballroom, which is privately funded, is nearly complete.

The city gates

Perhaps the most pervasive signs of Trump's influence on the city are the myriad smaller restoration projects, though Trump's connection may not be as readily apparent. Several park fountains, including those outside Union Station and in Meridian Park, have been restored after languishing in disrepair for years.

"Before today, the Columbus fountain hadn't been working since 2007!"@SecretaryBurgum: "We've restored a gateway to our capital, which stands as a reminder that the American story is still being written, and... the best chapters are still ahead." 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yd5rcv50ah

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 29, 2026

Future projects

Trump is far from done with his plans for the city. He has proposed the construction of a triumphal arch in the empty traffic circle on the Virginia side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, the creation of a promenade next to the Lincoln Memorial, a Garden of National Heroes, and the repainting of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.