A commission approved on Nov. 5 President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch near the District of Columbia, moving the project closer to reality despite legal challenges.
The National Capital Planning Commission, which is the federal government’s planning agency for the Washington area and consists mostly of people appointed by Trump, gave the green light for the structure. Construction could begin as soon as Friday. But the proposal has sparked three lawsuits, which have been combined into one case.
The plaintiffs have asked U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to prevent construction as long as there is litigation pending. She could rule as soon as Thursday.
One of the parties that have sued is a group of veterans and a historian, represented by public interest law firm Public Citizen Litigation Group. They filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block construction, arguing that the arch would interfere with the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, among other concerns.
Chutkan ordered the Trump administration to provide one hour’s notice of any decision by the National Capital Planning Commission, the National Park Service, or the Department of the Interior regarding the proposed arch.
She also ordered the administration to provide notice within 30 minutes of any activity related to or in preparation for the construction of the arch.
Chutkan reminded the defendants that any construction or demolition in preparation for construction before the National Park Service issues final agency action authorizing construction or without 14 days’ notice would be a violation of her previous orders.
The administration notified the court on Wednesday that a construction company had an application for a special-use permit to bring equipment and prepare a staging area ahead of construction. The permit had not been issued yet, according to the filing.
The arch has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, which was needed due to its proximity to flight paths.
The FAA said in June that the arch would need red safety lights, but it does not pose any risk to air traffic at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The proposed monument would include a mezzanine level at 166 feet, a 24-foot-high observation deck, and a 60-foot statue of Lady Liberty on the top. The structure, which is intended to mark America’s 250th anniversary, would prominently display the inscriptions “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All.” It was inspired by the 164-foot-high Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The arch is proposed to be built on a man-made island overseen by the National Park Service, located on the Virginia side of the Potomac River near Memorial Bridge, which connects to the Lincoln Memorial. At 250 feet, the structure would be significantly taller than the Lincoln Memorial, which is 99 feet tall, and roughly half the height of the Washington Monument.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted unanimously on April 16 to move the proposal forward. The commissioners—each appointed by Trump—will review a revised version of the design before making a final decision at a later meeting.
According to former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the height is intended to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. She described the project as an “architectural masterpiece” meant to celebrate American history and foster patriotism across political lines.
“Great nations build beautiful structures that cultivate national pride and love of country, and this triumphal arch should be a project that all Americans, all political persuasions, can support,” she said.
Trump first announced the arch in October 2025.
The proposed arch would create an additional permanent landmark in a city already defined by its monuments. It also builds on his agenda to revitalize and beautify Washington by replacing what he described as “tired” grass, damaged signage, and worn street medians.
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