The commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit on Saturday to block construction on President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch. Attorneys General Jay Jones of Virginia and Brian Schwalb of the District of Columbia filed the 45-page lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, labeling the project as “flagrantly unlawful.”
Lawsuit Details and Traffic Concerns
According to NPR, the lawsuit represents the latest legal challenge against the 250-foot tall arch, whose plans were first revealed by the Trump administration in October 2025. The attorneys general argue that building the arch could start as soon as next week and will cause “irreparable harm” to Virginia and the District, specifically by snarling traffic across both areas. The proposed site for the arch sits between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, which would make it twice the height of the monument dedicated to America’s 16th president.
The legal filing states that both regions will be forced to take immediate and expensive actions to evaluate, address, and lessen these negative impacts. The attorneys general noted that these expenses are severe and unrecoverable, particularly because the defendants declined to consider them or properly consult with either jurisdiction during their rushed approval and construction process.
Previous Defense and Court Order
NPR reached out to the White House and the Interior Department for comment on Saturday, but neither agency has responded. President Trump has previously defended the arch project, stating it would function as a “military complex” to store weapons and house snipers. However, the National Capital Planning Commission is reviewing the most recent plans, which do not feature any military elements.
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkin directed both parties to confer and reach an agreement on a proposed briefing schedule for the motion for a temporary restraining order by Saturday evening.
