On July 10, 2024, National Civic Art Society president Justin Shubow gave a talk on “How We Turned the Tables on Modern Architectural Eyesores” at the National Conservatism conference in Washington, D.C.
He discussed policy regarding federal architecture, including President Trump’s Executive Order that re-oriented federal architecture from Modernism to classical and traditional design. Shubow said:
Although the Executive Order was rescinded [by President Biden], it has led to a major welcome development. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Jim Banks of Indiana, there is now pending in the House and Senate legislation titled the Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act. The legislation would essentially codify Trump’s Order and requires even more strongly the inclusion of public input. There are eight Senate co-sponsors so far, including J.D. Vance, Mike Lee, Roger Marshall, and Bill Hagerty. And there are eight co-sponsors in the House, including Elise Stefanik. . . .
There is still more momentous news. I just learned that the 2024 GOP platform states that “Republicans will promote beauty in Public Architecture and . . . build cherished symbols of our Nation.” The platform also calls for making Washington, D.C. the most beautiful capital city.
But for Trump’s Executive Order, this never would have happened.
You can watch the video of the talk here.