By Islam El-Sakka
Virginia and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit Saturday seeking to halt construction of President Donald Trump's proposed memorial arch, adding a third legal challenge as the administration signals it could break ground as early as next week.
Three lawsuits seek to halt project
The latest suit joins an earlier case brought by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan held a hearing Friday on that request for a temporary restraining order but did not immediately rule, saying she would move expeditiously.
Attorneys general cite traffic, environmental harm
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb and Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones argue that breaking ground would cause irreparable harm. The arch site sits on an island in the Potomac River that straddles the two jurisdictions and serves as a major traffic artery. They warn that three years of construction would snarl traffic, produce pollution and stormwater runoff, interfere with emergency services, and complicate joint emergency responses such as those needed after the January 2025 midair collision that killed 67 people.
Administration pushes forward with detailed plans
Despite the pending litigation, the administration submitted a 106-page plan Friday envisioning a structure more than 12 stories high. The design includes a massive bronze statue of Lady Liberty with wings carrying a torch with an eternal flame, an observation deck, an occupied roof, two mezzanines, and interior spaces for offices, a staff lounge, circular staircases, multiple elevators, and a fire command center. The proposal also outlines significant traffic rerouting and cites a national security function for the arch.
Arch would tower over Statue of Liberty
The monument would rise 250 feet (76 meters), making it 100 feet (30 meters) taller than the Statue of Liberty from its base to the top of the torch.
