The key facts
- Construction of the 76-meter arch could begin on November 5, according to a court filing by the administration
- The lawsuit was filed by Vietnam War veterans who believe the project requires congressional approval
- In September, Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered that the court be notified 48 hours before any work on the site
Construction could begin as early as November 5
The administration of US President Donald Trump stated in a court document filed on Wednesday that construction of the massive arch in Washington 'could begin as early as November 5.' On that same day, a commission supportive of Trump is scheduled to vote on approving the proposed site and construction plans. This means that work could proceed despite the ongoing legal process.
The arch project
The project concerns a 250-foot (76-meter) white triumphal arch on the banks of the Potomac River next to Arlington National Cemetery. Its prototype is considered to be the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which the Washington arch is meant to surpass in size. Golden statues of an angel and eagles are planned for the top. According to AFP, the height of the structure would disrupt the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery, where hundreds of thousands of American service members are buried.
The legal process
The lawsuit against the project was filed in February by Vietnam War veterans, who argue that such a large-scale construction requires congressional approval. In September, district judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the Trump administration to 'notify the court 48 hours before any actions' on the site 'related to the construction of the arch or preparation for it.'
Context of other projects
Having returned to office in 2025, Trump, formerly a real estate developer, launched a series of renovation projects in the capital, some of which have sparked legal disputes. Among them are a large and costly ballroom at the White House, for which an entire wing of the presidential residence was demolished, and the Kennedy concert hall, which Trump, according to AFP, threatened to demolish if his name was not placed on it. The latest example is the historic East Potomac Golf Links golf course, which Trump wants to rebuild and where hundreds of trees have already been cut down, leading to legal setbacks.
