Arlington County sues to halt construction of Trump-proposed Triumphal Arch
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Arlington County officials filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop the rapid development of a 250-foot monument planned by President Donald Trump, citing environmental and safety concerns.
Arlington County Board filed a lawsuit Thursday in the Eastern District of Virginia seeking to block the construction of the Triumphal Arch, a monument proposed by President Donald Trump for Memorial Circle. The county argues that the National Park Service is moving toward ground-disturbing work without completing the full National Environmental Policy Act review required for projects on federal parkland.
"The National Park Service, the agency responsible for projects on national park land such as Memorial Circle, is proceeding full-speed toward ground-disturbing construction," the complaint states.
County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said the lawsuit reflects the community’s concerns about the project’s potential impacts, describing them as “severe, unique, and wide-ranging.” The county is represented by the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward.
The White House responded that the administration has complied with all procedural requirements and expects the suit to be dismissed. A spokesperson added that the arch is intended to become a prominent landmark that will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery.
The filing follows criticism from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, whose president warned that the 250-foot structure could exacerbate safety risks that have not been addressed since a January 2025 crash over the Potomac River. Earlier, a separate lawsuit by veterans and an architectural historian argued that congressional approval is required before construction can proceed, prompting a judge to order a 48-hour notice before any preparatory work.
The dispute adds to a series of Trump-initiated projects in the Washington area, including renovations to a public golf course and proposals affecting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.