A federal judge continues to weigh construction of the Trump arch

A federal judge in Washington signaled Friday that a ruling is coming soon on whether Vietnam War veterans can halt construction of President Donald Trump's planned 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan heard from two plaintiffs in a coalition that wants a decision by Nov. 4, a day before the government plans to break ground at Memorial Circle, according to MS NOW.

The challengers contend Congress never approved the monument and that it would disrupt the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and the cemetery. The administration responds that the plaintiffs lack standing, and that a 1925 plan featuring two tall columns amounted to congressional authorization. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin filed sworn declarations describing the project as a national security need, and the government's filing cites threats from small drones.

Chutkan pressed Justice Department attorney Robert Stander over how thin those declarations were, and Stander acknowledged there was nothing further to add. Chutkan also faulted the selective use of an appeals court ballroom ruling that has since been paused. According to MS NOW, plans submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission never mention a military or security function.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →