D.C. and Virginia Seek Injunction to Halt Trump Arch Construction

The District of Columbia and Virginia filed a federal lawsuit on Saturday to stop construction of a proposed monument near Arlington National Cemetery. The suit argues that breaking ground on the project would cause immediate and lasting harm to both jurisdictions. This is the third legal action to challenge the administration's plans for the structure.

The proposed arch would stand 250 feet tall on a grassy island in the Potomac River. This height would make it 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty measured from its base to the torch. The site sits at the center of a major traffic artery connecting the capital with Virginia. The new complaint claims the three-year construction period will disrupt emergency services, increase stormwater runoff, and create severe traffic congestion.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan is currently considering a separate lawsuit filed by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian. She held a hearing on Friday but did not issue a ruling immediately. The judge said she would move quickly to resolve the initial case. The attorneys general for D.C. and Virginia are now asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order to pause work while the first case is decided.

Brian Schwalb, the attorney general for Washington, D.C., and Jay Jones, the attorney general for Virginia, are the lead plaintiffs in the new suit. They stated that the defendants will inflict irreparable harm on both areas as soon as construction begins. The filing notes that the site straddles the river in the monumental core of the capital. The lawsuit also references the 2025 midair collision between a military helicopter and an airliner that killed 67 people, citing the region's reliance on coordinated emergency response.

The administration filed a 106-page plan on Friday detailing the arch's interior. The design includes a bronze statue of Lady Liberty with wings and a torch containing an eternal flame. The structure, which is more than 12 stories high, features an observation deck, two mezzanines, and an occupied roof. Inside, the plan lists offices, a staff lounge, circular staircases, multiple elevators, and a fire command center.

Government officials said they plan to seek final approval for the project at a Thursday meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission. They hope to begin construction that same day despite the pending lawsuits. Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman, described the project as a gateway for veterans and a visual reminder of American sacrifices. He said the arch will serve as one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and honor the nation's heroes.

The administration has proposed significant traffic changes in the area, including rerouting vehicles on nearby roads. Ingle noted that President Trump has worked to beautify the nation's interior through various restoration projects. He claimed these efforts include cleaning parks and the Reflecting Pool, as well as adding a helipad and a ballroom to the White House.