Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Construction of Donald Trump Memorial Arch in Washington

United States District Court Judge Tanya S. Chutkan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting the construction of President Donald Trump's planned memorial arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

The ruling came late Thursday night, less than an hour after the National Capital Planning Commission approved the design and site preparation in an 8-4 vote. Chutkan acted on a lawsuit filed by military veterans alongside local jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, the Arlington County Board, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, who argue the project unlawfully alters the Memorial Circle landscape.

Chutkan had previously directed the administration to notify the court within 30 minutes of any construction activity. Despite the judicial injunction, the White House launched a promotional website on Friday showcasing digital renderings of the proposed 250-foot structure, designated the United States Military Triumphal Arch. Renderings show a granite arch decorated with gold ornamentation, large bas-relief panels, and an exterior topped by a golden winged figure holding a torch.

The monument features the inscriptions "One Nation Under God" and "Golden Age of America." While the administration has not released official budget numbers, independent estimates project construction costs at up to $100 million. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle criticized the court's order as the act of an activist district court, stating that the administration expects full vindication on appeal and remains committed to finishing the monument. The planning process generated more than 100,000 public comments submitted to the Department of the Interior, with a large majority opposing the monument's placement.