Virginia and D.C. Sue to Block Construction of Trump Arch
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkin ordered both sides to talk and to agree on a proposed briefing schedule on the motion for a temporary restraining order by Saturday evening.
Politics
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. The 45-page lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia called the project "flagrantly unlawful," attorneys general Jay Jones of Virginia and Brian Schwalb of the District of Columbia wrote.
This lawsuit is the latest legal attempt to stop construction of the 250-foot tall arch, whose plans were unveiled by the Trump administration in October 2025. The attorneys general also allege that construction on the arch, which could begin as soon as next week, will "inflict irreparable harm" on the District and Virginia, including snarling traffic between both areas. The arch would be located between the National Mall and the Capitol.
"The arch would be located between the National Mall and the Capitol," the lawsuit reads. "Construction of the arch will result in significant and irreparable harm to the District and Virginia, including, but not limited to, traffic congestion, noise pollution, and visual blight."
In summary, the lawsuit argues that the project violates federal law and will cause significant disruptions to the region.