Virginia and D.C. sue to stop Trump arch construction

Virginia and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit on Saturday to halt the construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch. The legal action adds a second wave of challenges to a project the administration says could begin as early as next week.

The arch is designed to stand 250 feet tall on a grassy patch of land near the bridge connecting Washington to Arlington National Cemetery. This height would make the structure 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty, measured from its base to the top of the torch. The site sits on an island straddling the Potomac River, a location that creates a major traffic artery between the two jurisdictions.

Brian Schwalb, the attorney general for Washington, and Jay Jones, the attorney general for Virginia, signed the new complaint. They argued that breaking ground would inflict irreparable harm on both regions. The suit claims the three-year construction period will snarl traffic, produce pollution and stormwater runoff in the Potomac, and interfere with emergency services. Both attorneys general are seeking a temporary restraining order to pause the administration’s plans.

This is the third lawsuit filed against the project. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan is already reviewing the first case, which was brought by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian. Judge Chutkan held a hearing on Friday but did not issue an immediate order. She stated she would move expeditiously on the matter.

The Republican administration recently filed a plan seeking final approval of the project at Thursday’s meeting of the Capital National Planning Commission. The government indicated it might begin construction on the same day, despite the pending lawsuits. On Friday, the government submitted a 106-page plan detailing the structure.

The proposed design includes a massive structure more than 12 stories high. It features a bronze statue of Lady Liberty with wings and a torch containing an eternal flame. The plan lists an observation deck, an occupied roof, and two mezzanines. Inside, the arch will contain program spaces, offices, a staff lounge, circular staircases, multiple elevators, and a fire command center. Administration officials have noted the arch will also serve a national security function.

The lawsuit cites concerns about emergency response in the region, referencing the January 2025 midair collision between a military helicopter and an airliner that killed 67 people. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new filing.