Judge temporarily halts construction of Trump’s proposed DC arch

Judge temporarily halts construction of Trump's proposed DC arch. Thao Nguyen USA TODAY.

Key points

• The District of Columbia and Virginia sued the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior on Oct.
• A federal judge has temporarily halted construction of President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington.
• The proposed monument would sit on a highway roundabout near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, throughout the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
• The Trump administration contends Congress approved the arch more than a century ago when it authorized construction of a bridge throughout the Potomac River.
• The National Capital Planning Commission voted late Nov.

Judge temporarily halts construction of Trump's proposed DC arch. Thao Nguyen USA TODAY. Trump's Washington arch project halted by federal judge.

Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily halted construction of President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington.

Notably, the National Capital Planning Commission voted late Nov. 5 to approve the project after hearing from regarding 100 opponents, including Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia remarked the project would "snarl traffic for years, impact the nearby airport, and present even more serious threats to public safety that this commission has refused to acknowledge and grapple with."

Notably, the commission's approval had appeared to clear the way for the Trump administration to commence excavation and foundation work within days. The U.S. While the National Park Service could matter final permits or other authorizations, department of Justice previously remarked an initial six to eight months of excavation and foundation work could commence as early as this week.

But U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Nov. 5 granted a temporary restraining order sought by the District of Columbia and Virginia, barring the administration from initiating construction.

For context, the order blocks, for 14 days, any construction, excavation, demolition, land-disturbing work, utility installation, roadway closures or other activity related to building the arch at Memorial Circle on Columbus Island while the court considers the case. Judge temporarily blocks construction of triumphal arch.

Meanwhile, the District of Columbia and Virginia sued the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior on Oct. 31, seeking to stop construction before it began. The lawsuit called the project "legally indefensible" and argued Congress never authorized the monument.

For context, the Trump administration contends Congress approved the arch more than a century ago when it authorized construction of a bridge throughout the Potomac River.

In her order, Chutkan directed federal authorities to notify employees, contractors, subcontractors and other entities involved in the project that any construction-related activity is prohibited under the court order. The defendants must update the court by Nov. 9 on those notification efforts and certify their compliance with the order. Trump's triumphal arch proposal.

In practice, the proposed monument would sit on a highway roundabout near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, throughout the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. Modeled after Paris' Arc de Triomphe, the structure would stand more than 80 feet taller than its French counterpart and rise to almost the height of the 288-foot U.S. Capitol.

Trump has promoted the project as both a landmark and a military asset. Speaking on Nov. 2 during an event highlighting improvements to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, he remarked the arch could house drones and snipers.

"It's right smack in the middle of everything, so particularly notable for our military. But from a beautification standpoint, it'll be the most beautiful arch in the world, " Trump remarked.

Meanwhile, the arch is one of a number of major Washington projects Trump is pursuing despite opposition from local office-holders and preservation advocates. Others include rebuilding the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial, constructing a sizeable White House ballroom and overhauling the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, judge temporarily halts construction of Trumps proposed DC arch remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.