Veterans Urge Judge to Block Trump's Arch Construction Without Congressional Approval
The Justice Department plans to begin construction on November 5, prompting veterans to seek an injunction to prevent the project from becoming a fait accompli.
Veterans have asked a federal judge to block the construction of a proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, arguing that the project requires authorization from Congress. The Justice Department indicated on Wednesday that construction could commence on November 5, shortly after the National Capital Planning Commission is expected to give its final approval.
Judge Tanya Chutkan had previously mandated that the government provide at least 14 days' notice before starting work on the arch. The November 5 date adheres to this requirement.
The veterans, who are plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the arch, urged Chutkan to prevent the administration from rendering the project irreversible before a final court determination on its legality. Their filing asserts that the Trump administration has moved forward with site testing, architectural planning, and seeking approvals from commissions composed of individuals aligned with the administration, without securing the necessary congressional consent.
The administration's stance is that a 1925 law concerning the construction of Memorial Bridge implicitly authorizes the arch, as the original plans included columns at the bridge's end. Opponents contend this interpretation is unfounded and not supported by the text of the 1925 law.
President Trump's proposal envisions a 250-foot arch situated in a traffic circle across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial, at the entrance to the national cemetery. The project is currently facing legal challenges from veterans and preservation groups.
In September, the administration acknowledged that the arch would have "adverse effects" on the river's landscape and views, stating that these impacts could not be fully avoided due to the project's designated location.