Washington Arch: Judge halts construction after panel approval

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to build a triumphal arch on Thursday night. The ruling came just hours after a federal planning panel gave the project final approval.

Judge Tonya S. Chutkan granted a temporary restraining order requested by the District of Columbia and Virginia governments. This order stops the Trump administration from starting construction for at least 14 days. Chutkan also combined this case with a separate lawsuit filed by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-4 to approve the arch. The vote followed hours of public testimony. The commission is led by Trump appointees. One of the key opponents, Michael Lemmon, a Vietnam veteran and former Army soldier, told the panel that the project was "frankly blasphemous."

Lemmon argued that the 250-foot structure would "profoundly disturb the peace and tranquility" owed to those buried at nearby Arlington National Cemetery. He was one of roughly 130 people who signed up to speak before the vote. The proposed arch would be more than twice the height of the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial. It would also stand taller than France’s Arc de Triomphe.

Tensions rose during the testimony. Representative Jared Huffman, a Democrat from California, clashed with Commission Chair Mark Paoletta. Huffman stated the arch "would dishonor America, our ideals and our laws." Paoletta defended the site on Columbia Island, noting that Congress authorized the area for Memorial Bridge over 100 years ago. Huffman retorted, "If you want to make that argument to a federal court, go for it. You're going to lose."

The lawsuit accuses the administration of violating federal law by failing to get specific congressional authorization for the project. Paoletta, who also serves as OMB general counsel, said the arch would complete a project started a century ago. He described it as a "generational security opportunity" because Trump plans to house drones, snipers, and ammunition in the structure.

The administration signaled it could begin work immediately after the panel vote. In response, the judge ordered the administration to give the court at least 30 minutes' notice before any work starts. Earlier in the day, the Justice Department told the court that a contractor had painted lines on the grounds without authorization from the National Park Service.

Planning documents released by the Interior Department earlier this year indicate construction will occur 20 hours a day for two to three years.