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

The District of Columbia and Virginia filed federal lawsuits on Saturday to stop the construction of a proposed 250-foot monument near Arlington National Cemetery. These filings join two other active legal challenges against the project, creating a three-pronged effort to pause work before it begins.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan presides over the original lawsuit, which was brought by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian. She held a hearing on Friday but did not issue an immediate ruling, stating she would move expeditiously on the matter.

Attorneys General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C., and Jay Jones of Virginia argue that breaking ground will cause irreparable harm to both jurisdictions. They contend the site sits on a traffic artery and an island in the Potomac River, where construction would disrupt emergency services and generate pollution over a three-year build period.

The new plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order to delay the administration's plans. The White House maintains it could begin construction as early as next week, despite the pending litigation.

Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman, defended the project in a statement to CBS News. He described President Trump as the builder who has done more to beautify the nation's interior than any other president, citing park cleanups and the addition of a helipad and ballroom at the White House.

The government submitted a 106-page plan on Friday detailing the structure. The design includes a bronze statue of Lady Liberty with wings and an eternal flame torch. The building will feature an observation deck, two mezzanines, and an occupied roof, rising more than 12 stories high.

Inside the arch, the plan allocates space for offices, a staff lounge, circular staircases, and multiple elevators. It also includes a fire command center and proposes major traffic rerouting on nearby roads to accommodate the new landmark.

The lawsuit references the January 2025 collision between a military helicopter and an airliner that killed 67 people, raising concerns about how the construction will impact joint emergency responses in the region. The administration stated it will seek final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission at a meeting on Thursday.