Virginia and D.C. Seek Court Order to Halt Trump Arch Construction
Attorneys general from both jurisdictions argue the 250-foot structure will cause immediate traffic and financial damage before it is even built.
By Marco Ortega ·
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit on Saturday in federal court. Their goal is to stop the construction of President Donald Trump's proposed triumphal arch.
The 45-page filing describes the project as flagrantly unlawful. The arch, which stands 250 feet tall, is planned for the area between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. That location would place the new structure at twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial.
The legal team argues that work on the arch could start as soon as next week. They claim this timing will inflict irreparable harm on both jurisdictions. Specifically, they point to potential traffic snarls between Virginia and the capital.
Jones and Schwalb state that both regions will have to spend money immediately to assess and fix these problems. They note that the defendants refused to consult with either jurisdiction during the approval process. The attorneys general describe the planning phase as hurried and preordained.
Trump has previously called the arch a military complex intended to hold weapons and snipers. However, the current plans under review by the National Capital Planning Commission do not include military features. The administration first unveiled the design in October 2025.
Judge Tanya Chutkin in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ordered both sides to discuss a briefing schedule. They must agree on a timeline for their arguments regarding the motion for a temporary restraining order by Saturday evening.
Source: KNKX Public Radio
