A mockup 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 commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit to prevent the construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch. Filed on Saturday, the 45-page lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia describes the project as “flagrantly unlawful.” Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb are behind this legal action.
The lawsuit is part of ongoing legal efforts to stop the construction of the 250-foot tall arch. This plan was made public by the Trump administration in October 2025. The attorneys general claim that starting construction, possibly as soon as next week, will cause “irreparable harm” to both the District and Virginia. They highlight the potential for severe traffic disruptions between the two areas.
The proposed arch would be situated between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, towering at twice the height of the monument dedicated to America’s 16th president.
“Both jurisdictions will need to take immediate and costly steps to assess, respond to, and mitigate these harmful effects,” the lawsuit states. “These costs are severe and unrecoverable given that Defendants have not considered them or properly consulted with either jurisdiction during their expedited and predetermined process to approve the Arch.”
NPR sought comment from both the White House and the Interior Department regarding the lawsuit on Saturday but has not received a response.
President Trump has previously defended the arch plans, describing it as a “military complex” designed to house weapons and snipers. However, the current plans, set to be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission, exclude any military components.
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkin has instructed both parties to discuss and propose a briefing schedule for the motion seeking a temporary restraining order by the end of Saturday.
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