Virginia and D.C. Sue to Halt 250-Foot Arch Construction

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a 45-page lawsuit in federal court on Saturday to stop construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch. The complaint describes the project as flagrantly unlawful and seeks a temporary restraining order to prevent work from starting.

The arch is planned to stand 250 feet tall, twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial. It would be positioned between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. The attorneys general claim construction could begin as early as next week and would inflict irreparable harm on both jurisdictions by snarling traffic.

Jones and Schwalb stated that their offices must take immediate and costly steps to mitigate these effects. They noted that the costs are severe and unrecoverable because the administration refused to adequately consult with either jurisdiction during the approval process. The lawsuit argues the defendants proceeded with a hurried and preordained review.

The Trump administration unveiled the arch plans in October 2025. Trump has previously described the structure as a military complex for holding weapons and snipers, though the latest plans submitted for review do not include military elements. The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to review the design.

Judge Tanya Chutkin ordered both sides to confer by Saturday evening to agree on a briefing schedule for the motion for a temporary restraining order. The White House and the Interior Department did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit as of Saturday.