A federal judge late Thursday temporarily blocked construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial, ruling that opponents are likely to prevail on claims that the administration failed to follow required legal procedures. The order came hours after the National Capital Planning Commission approved final plans for the 250-foot monument.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan barred any “construction-related activity” for 14 days while challenges brought by Vietnam War veterans, Virginia and Washington, D.C., proceed. In her 33-page ruling, she found that Virginia and the District likely have standing to sue because of potential traffic disruptions and related economic effects.
The commission voted 8-4 to approve the project after nearly nine hours of testimony from lawmakers, veterans, architects and residents. Its executive director, Mark Paoletta, had recommended approval, describing Trump’s proposal as a “historic vision” for the “grandest arch ever built by mankind.”
The White House defended the project following the vote and court order. “We are confident we will be fully vindicated as this litigation proceeds and look forward to seeing the completion of this magnificent Arch — a tribute to 250 years of American greatness,” spokesman Davis Ingle said.
The arch would occupy Memorial Circle, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Plans call for a 166-foot arch topped by a gilded winged female figure and two flying eagles, bringing its total height to 250 feet.
NOW: Trump says the Triumphal Arch is in the “final approval” stages and that the National Garden of American Heroes will feature 250-500 statues.
Trump gave a speech today at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., to announce its official reopening after… pic.twitter.com/JdBSOWTYaB
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The structure would include an observation deck, with the administration projecting between 2,000 and 22,400 visitors daily. Construction is expected to take about three years, although the cost and funding source remain unspecified. The Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the arch would pose no hazard to air navigation if equipped with specified lighting, including a non-standard eternal flame and continuous floodlighting.
Opponents told the commission that the monument’s size and anticipated crowds would undermine the setting between two of the nation’s most prominent memorial sites. California Rep. Jared Huffman called the project “illegal” and said it would “disrupt the solemn connection” between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, adding, “This arch would dishonor America, our ideals, and our laws.”
Marine veteran Jimi Shaughnessy described “a dominating arch with a carnival-like atmosphere of tourists, food trucks and buses” as “abhorrent and insulting to those who gave all and to their families.” He also criticized the administration’s priorities and accused it of trying to bypass applicable laws and regulations. The commission received more than 1,300 public comments, most opposing the project.
The veterans’ lawsuit and the separate challenge from Virginia and D.C. contend that the administration lacks congressional authorization and has failed to follow required procedures. Veterans Michael Lemmon and Shaun Byrnes told the court that the monument’s size and purpose would affect their visits to graves at Arlington, while state and city officials warned of traffic congestion, pollution, runoff into the Potomac River and interference with emergency services.
Trump has previously described the proposed arch as a “top grade Military Complex” that would house drones and sniper ammunition. Planning documents submitted to the commission do not identify military uses, and Justice Department attorneys declined to elaborate on national-security features during an October hearing.
Chutkan had ordered the government to notify her promptly of a commission vote or imminent construction preparations. After receiving those notices Thursday, she issued an order covering construction, excavation, demolition, land disturbance, utility work, roadway closures and related activity.
The Justice Department had said last month that construction could begin as soon as Thursday, and a separate filing indicated that a contractor might be arranging off-site preparations. Whether work can begin after the 14-day order expires will depend on further court proceedings.
