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A federal judge early Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from breaking ground on President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., just hours after a federal planning commission approved the project.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting construction of the proposed monument.
Chutkan granted a request from plaintiffs challenging the project in lawsuits filed by the District of Columbia and Virginia. The cases were consolidated with an earlier lawsuit brought by a group of Vietnam veterans and an architectural historian.
The National Capital Planning Commission approved the project hours earlier on Thursday with an 8-4 vote, clearing the way for construction before the court intervened.
SEN JIM BANKS: TRUMP’S NEW TRIUMPHAL ARCH IS A MONUMENT TO AMERICAN GREATNESS
A rendering of the Triumphal Arch slated to be constructed on Columbia Island in Washington D.C. (Interior Department)
The federal panel approved construction of the 250-foot-tall structure, which is inspired by Paris’ Arc de Triomphe and intended to attract visitors crossing the Memorial Bridge from Arlington National Cemetery into the nation’s capital.
Mark Paoletta, the commission’s Trump-appointed chairman, expressed support for the new structure during the panel’s meeting.
“President Trump understands as president and a superb builder that it’s important to our national identity to display who we are through grand monuments,” Paoletta said.
Paoletta, who also serves as general counsel for the White House Office of Management and Budget, pointed to Trump’s admiration for similar monuments around the world.
“As Trump has often remarked, the great cities around the world have arches: Paris, Rome, London,” Paoletta said.
TRUMP SAYS NEW ARCH WILL ALSO DEPLOY DRONES, POSITION SNIPERS AND STORE AMMO
President Donald Trump holds a model of an arch as he delivers remarks during a ballroom fundraising dinner in the East Room of the White House Oct. 15, 2025, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The proposed structure would be clad in granite and topped with three golden statues.
Trump has previously said the triumphal arch would be converted into a military complex capable of rapidly deploying large numbers of drones, with snipers positioned on the roof and plaza areas. He also said the complex would store “large quantities of sniper ammunition.”
The project has drawn criticism from preservationists, lawmakers and veterans, who argue that it could disrupt views of the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
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A model of President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary is seen on the Resolute Desk on Oct. 15, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Opponents have also questioned whether the project requires congressional approval under federal law.
The National Capital Planning Commission previously approved the site and preliminary plans.
Digital’s Amanda Macias and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
