Columbia and Virginia sue to halt 250-foot Trump arc construction

The District of Columbia and Virginia filed a federal lawsuit on Saturday to stop construction of the commemorative arc proposed by President Donald Trump.

The proposed structure will rise 250 feet above the grassy land near the bridge crossing the Potomac River, connecting the capital to Arlington National Cemetery. This height makes the arc 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty from base to torch tip. The project plan calls for a structure more than 12 stories high, featuring a bronze statue of a winged Lady Liberty holding an eternal flame, an observation platform, and a walkable roof.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan consolidated this new demand with the original lawsuit she is overseeing. She ordered a joint calendar for legal briefs in both cases. The original suit was filed by three Vietnam War veterans and an architecture historian. All plaintiffs seek a temporary restraining order to pause construction while the courts resolve the disputes.

Attorneys for the District and Virginia argue that starting work immediately will cause irreparable harm. The site sits in the center of a major traffic artery between the two jurisdictions. They claim the three-year construction period will inevitably congest traffic, generate pollution and stormwater runoff in the Potomac, and interfere with emergency services. The lawsuit also cites the January 2025 midair collision between a military helicopter and a commercial plane that killed 67 people, noting how traffic disruptions could affect regional emergency responses.

White House press secretary Davis Ingle stated in an email that the arc will become one of the most emblematic monuments in Washington and the world. He described it as a gateway to Arlington National Cemetery for veterans and families, serving as a visual reminder of the sacrifices made over 250 years of American history. Ingle said the structure would stand as a testament to the noble sacrifices of U.S. heroes.

President Trump spoke about the project on Saturday night at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He called the arc very important for the military and said it would be the most beautiful arc ever built. Trump stated that it does not matter if the site is in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, as the region needs it for military and aesthetic reasons. He added that he believes the administration is doing a very good job with the project.

The Trump administration recently filed a document stating it plans to request final project approval at the Thursday meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission. Officials said they may begin construction that same day despite two active lawsuits. Attorney Robert Stander told Judge Chutkan that the arc is a top priority project and that a judicial order would obstruct the government's work. The judge asked what urgency existed beyond the executive's desire to impress the city.