Judge temporarily blocks construction of Trump's arch
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A replica of President Trump's arch project at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall earlier this year. Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images
A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of President Trump's much-contested triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, hours after the project received final planning approval.
Why it matters: The 14-day order halts the Trump administration's plans to begin work immediately on the 250-foot arch as the court considers lawsuits challenging the project's legality.
Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary restraining order early Friday barring construction of the arch for 14 days in response to a lawsuit brought by D.C. and Virginia.
- The order prohibits construction, excavation, land disturbance, utility installation and road closures related to the arch. The administration must certify its compliance to the court by Monday, Nov. 9.
The backdrop: The ruling came hours after the National Capital Planning Commission — stacked with Trump loyalists — gave the project final approval Thursday during a packed virtual hearing that saw over 100 people testify and stretched over nine hours.
- Opposing speakers included the D.C. Preservation League's executive director, military veterans and some of the family members of those buried at Arlington Cemetery.
Zoom in: The judge is considering separate legal challenges to the arch: One from D.C. and Virginia, and another from veterans.
- The lawsuits argue that the administration lacks the necessary congressional authorization and has failed to comply with federal requirements.
- The same judge earlier this week ordered that the government must notify the court within 30 minutes of beginning any activity related to arch construction.
- The government has said that Maryland-based Grunley Construction Company might already be preparing to start construction in anticipation of sign-off.
The big picture: The proposed 250-foot arch has also been the source of fierce public objection and protests.
- Critics have accused the administration of sidestepping necessary federal historic-preservation reviews and congressional sign-off, among other concerns.
- Meanwhile, some Democratic lawmakers have suggested they'll make it harder for Trump to push his D.C. projects through once they assume Congressional control come January.
Between the lines: Critics of the project say it would overshadow and dishonor nearby Arlington Cemetery, snarl traffic during construction, hurt the local environment and create airspace safety issues at DCA, among other issues.
- Building the project would take two to three years, with crews working 20 hours a day, per the administration.
What they're saying: The Trump administration has argued that the arch would improve the Arlington Cemetery visitor experience, as well as improve national security by containing drones and snipers, although final plans submitted to the NCPC didn't show these elements.
- Trump earlier this week called the project "one of the great things we've ever done."
- Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment early Friday.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling.