Trump sued by Washington DC and Virginia over ‘flagrantly unlawful’ arch project

Washington, D. C. , and Virginia have taken the Trump administration to federal court in the District of Columbia, seeking to stop a 250-foot triumphal arch planned for Memorial Circle beside the Potomac. Their attorneys general call the project "flagrantly unlawful," saying it lacks congressional authorization and would stand almost twice as tall as the height cap on buildings in the capital. They also contend the government is trying to start work quickly so judges cannot weigh in, pointing to a Justice Department filing that says construction could begin November 5, 2026, once final sign-offs arrive from the planning commission, park service and Interior Department. They warn of lasting damage from traffic and pollution during roughly three years of building, according to Time · The Independent.

The suit joins others, including one by Vietnam War veterans who say the structure would spoil views of Arlington National Cemetery, and one from Arlington County. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the court the arch would double as a military asset for homeland defense and would hold counter sniper personnel. The administration has also argued the plaintiffs cannot sue. Trump has described the monument as marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Time · The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at Time · The Independent →