Virginia and D.C. sue to block construction of Trump arch
Virginia and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit to halt the construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch proposed by President Donald Trump. The plaintiffs argue the project is unlawful and will cause irreparable harm, including traffic congestion near the Lincoln Memorial.
Why it matters
The lawsuit highlights a high-profile legal clash between local jurisdictions and the federal government over urban development and historical site preservation.
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.
The lawsuit is the latest legal attempt to stop construction of the 250-foot tall arch whose plans were unveiled by the Trump administration in Oct. 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 Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. It would stand twice the height of the monument honoring America's 16th president.
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