Judge Chutkan Halts Trump's Arlington Arch Construction
A 14-day temporary restraining order stops the project hours after the National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-4 to approve the 250-foot structure.
By Ethan Cooper ·
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary restraining order on Friday morning that halts construction of the proposed triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. The 14-day order blocks the Trump administration from breaking ground on the monument. This judicial action occurred just hours after a federal planning commission gave the project its final approval.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-4 on Thursday to clear the way for the 250-foot-tall structure. The design is inspired by Paris' Arc de Triomphe and is intended to attract visitors crossing the Memorial Bridge from Arlington National Cemetery. The proposed building would be clad in granite and topped with three golden statues.
Judge Chutkan granted the request from plaintiffs challenging the project. The current lawsuits were filed by the District of Columbia and Virginia. These cases were consolidated with an earlier lawsuit brought by a group of Vietnam veterans and an architectural historian. The legal challenge seeks to pause work while the court reviews the validity of the planning commission's decision.
Mark Paoletta, the commission's chairman, defended the project during the Thursday meeting. He noted that President Trump views grand monuments as essential to national identity. Paoletta, who also serves as general counsel for the White House Office of Management and Budget, cited the presence of arches in major cities such as Paris, Rome, and London.
"President Trump understands as president and a superb builder that it's important to our national identity to display who we are through grand monuments," Paoletta said. He added that similar structures in global capitals reinforce this civic tradition.
President Trump has described the arch as a future military complex. He stated that the structure would store large quantities of sniper ammunition and allow for the rapid deployment of drones. Snipers would be positioned on the roof and plaza areas. The project has drawn criticism from preservationists, lawmakers, and veterans who argue it will disrupt views of the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Opponents also question whether the project requires congressional approval under federal law.
The National Capital Planning Commission had previously approved the site and preliminary plans for the structure. The 14-day restraining order remains in effect until the court holds a hearing on the consolidated cases.
