Lawsuit Filed to Halt Trump’s Proposed Triumphal Arch Construction

A model of President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch is displayed at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 27, 2026, in Washington. The image was captured by Jen Golbeck/AP.

The Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia have initiated legal action to prevent the construction of Trump’s envisioned triumphal arch. This was formalized on Saturday through a 45-page lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Attorneys general Jay Jones of Virginia and Brian Schwalb of the District of Columbia authored the document, describing the project as “flagrantly unlawful.”

This lawsuit represents the latest legal effort aimed at halting the progress of the arch’s construction, which was first unveiled by the Trump administration in October 2025. The structure is planned to reach 250 feet in height.

The lawsuit argues that the construction, which could commence as early as next week, would inflict “irreparable harm” on both the District and Virginia. One of the primary concerns is the potential disruption to traffic between these areas.

Plans indicate the arch’s proposed location is between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. This would make the new structure twice as tall as the monument dedicated to America’s 16th president.

The lawsuit contends that both jurisdictions must take immediate and significant measures to assess and counter these adverse impacts. These expenses are described as severe and unrecoverable, especially as the defendants have not properly considered or consulted with either jurisdiction in their process to approve and initiate construction of the Arch.

NPR sought comments from both the White House and the Interior Department on Saturday regarding the lawsuit but received no response.

President Trump has previously supported the arch plans, suggesting it would serve as a “military complex” capable of holding weapons and snipers. However, the latest plans reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission do not mention these military elements.

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkin has instructed both parties to convene and devise a proposed briefing schedule concerning the motion for a temporary restraining order, with a deadline set for Saturday evening.