Virginia and the District of Columbia sued in federal court on Saturday, Oct. 31, seeking to prevent construction of the Trump administration’s proposed triumphal arch at Memorial Circle in Washington. The administration has announced plans to start work on Nov. 5, the same day the National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to consider final approval of the project.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argue that the project would immediately damage both jurisdictions’ interests. Their complaint describes the site as a heavily used traffic circle beside their shared boundary, within a historic vista and in a river environment that the District has a legal obligation to protect. They contend that construction and the finished arch would interfere with government operations and require substantial spending to address the consequences.
The attorneys general say intervention is needed before work begins. They argue that the administration could otherwise invoke the construction itself as a reason to resist a court order, claiming that stopping work would harm the federal government, create security concerns or improperly change conditions established by the project. The lawsuit says the administration has made similar arguments in other cases.
The complaint alleges that the administration bypassed the specific congressional authorization required under the Commemorative Works Act. It also challenges the arch’s planned height of more than 130 feet under the Height of Buildings Act and alleges violations of the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. In separate statements Saturday, Jones emphasized Virginia’s interest in protecting the dignity of Arlington National Cemetery, while Schwalb said the lawsuit sought to protect the District’s residents and its responsibilities for the capital.
The National Capital Planning Commission, which is led by Trump appointees, approved preliminary plans earlier this year. White House spokesperson David Ingle defended the project in a statement to NBC News on Saturday, describing it as a future landmark and a gateway to Arlington National Cemetery that would honor veterans and Americans who died in service. He did not answer the outlet’s direct question about the lawsuit.
Renderings obtained by NBC News in April depicted winged eagles, Lady Liberty and wording from the Pledge of Allegiance. In September, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the arch would also accommodate drones, snipers and ammunition storage for national security purposes. Those features do not appear in the final plans and renderings submitted to the commission.
Trump has also cited national security in defending his proposed White House ballroom, saying a military complex would be built beneath it. In an August Truth Social post, he said the ballroom and complex would be completed in summer 2028. That post followed a Supreme Court decision allowing construction to proceed despite a challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Another Trump proposal, a renovation of Washington’s East Potomac Golf Links, has faced local criticism and legal obstacles. In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump described deteriorating conditions and claimed that holes in driving range netting allowed balls to strike golfers, including a White House staff member. He has pledged to transform the property into a championship golf course.
