Law & Justice
DC and Virginia File Lawsuit to Stop Trump’s Proposed 250‑Foot Arch
The District of Columbia and the state of Virginia filed a joint lawsuit on Saturday to halt the construction of a large triumphal arch that President Donald Trump has proposed for Washington, D.C. The complaint calls the project “flagrantly unlawful” and “legally indefensible” and urges federal courts to bar construction before it begins. The suit warns that if construction starts, Trump could argue that stopping it would pose a national security risk, as he has done with other projects. The complaint notes that this is not the first time the defendants have rushed to remake the District too quickly for courts to intervene.
The lawsuit is the third legal action against the arch. Trump has described the monument as a 30‑metre (100‑foot) taller version of the Arc de Triomphe, with a total height of 76 metres (250 feet). The design includes a 12‑storey structure, a winged bronze statue of Lady Liberty holding an eternal flame, two mezzanines, an observation deck with panoramic east‑west views, programme spaces, offices, and a “fire command centre.” Trump has said the arch would also serve as a military hub with snipers and drone capabilities.
The attorneys general for Washington, D.C., Brian Schwalb, and for Virginia, Jay Jones, argue that the project’s disruptive footprint will cause irreparable harm. They warn that the anticipated three‑year construction would impede commuter traffic, slow emergency vehicles, and produce significant pollution, including stormwater runoff into the Potomac. The lawsuit requests that the court require congressional authorization before any construction can begin.
The legal challenge follows an October 8 filing by Arlington County, the first governmental body to sue over the monument, which argued that the project would cause significant harm to residents and likely require changes to nearby flight paths. A February complaint was filed by a group of Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian, and is currently before District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is weighing a preliminary injunction.
The monument has already received early approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were all appointed by Trump.
Frequently asked questions
Who filed the lawsuit to stop Trump's arch?
The District of Columbia and the state of Virginia filed the lawsuit.
How tall is the proposed arch?
The arch is 76 metres (250 feet) tall.
What concerns does the lawsuit raise?
The lawsuit cites the arch’s disruptive footprint, potential traffic and emergency vehicle delays, pollution, stormwater runoff into the Potomac, and lack of congressional authorization.