Trump’s arch faces third lawsuit as legal trouble mounts: Why Virginia and DC have sued over the ‘triumphal arch’

Both Virginia and the District of Columbia have sued the administration over President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch. The lawsuits add to the mounting legal trouble for the arch as there are now three lawsuits against the construction.

The administration has proposed that construction work on the arch could begin in early November. US District Judge Tanya Chukta has consolidated all three lawsuits as she is overseeing the first one. She has ordered a joint briefing for all three suits, according to AP.

Three Vietnam veterans had earlier sued over the memorial arch

A group of three Vietnam War veterans and a retired architectural historian filed a lawsuit to block construction of the proposed arch in February 2026. According to NPR, the lawsuit referred to the arch as a “vanity project”.

It argues that the project could disrupt one of the most symbolic sightlines in Washington. According to the lawsuit, the proposed arch would alter the view between the Lincoln Memorial and the Arlington House. It further states that the sightline was meant to “evoke national unity after the Civil War,” NPR reported.

The veterans complained that the arch would “dishonor their military and foreign service” and intrude on the view they often visit, NPR reported citing the lawsuit. President Trump is named in the lawsuit along with senior White House officials and the National Park Service.

Judge considering to halt construction

Even before Virginia and DC filed their lawsuits, Judge Chutkan had been considering halting the project. In a hearing on Friday, October 30, she considered issuing an order until the first lawsuit was resolved. However, she did not act immediately and said she would “move expeditiously", AP reported.

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Why do Virginia and DC oppose the arch?

Both lawsuits are arguing that the construction of the arch would cause "irreparable harm to both the District and Virginia”, CBS reported citing the lawsuits. The proposed construction site is situated at a major traffic hotspot in between DC and Virginia. According to the lawsuit, as soon as the construction begins it would hit the traffic and continue to do so for the three-year construction period.

In addition to the traffic vows, the arch’s construction would “produce pollution and stormwater runoff”. The arch could cause issues with emergency response services, the lawsuit further adds.

The lawsuits are seeking a temporary restraining order to slow the administration’s plans for immediate construction.

The proposed 250 feet arch would be 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. It would be a massive 12 stories and have several rooms, multiple elevators, and circular staircases, according to a 106-page plan submitted by the administration.