US judge temporarily blocks Trump's arch project after panel approval

A judge in Washington temporarily halted construction of President Donald Trump's proposed 76-meter arch on Thursday, just after it received approval from the National Capital Planning Commission. The 14-day restraining order followed input from around 100 opponents, including Democratic lawmakers. The Trump administration argued that Congress approved the arch over 100 years ago when it authorized bridge construction across the Potomac River.

However, Judge Tanya Chutkan noted that it's highly unlikely such a 100-year-old statute would include authority to erect this 250-foot arch at a significant location in the nation's capital. She warned that the project would cause traffic disruptions, noise, extensive excavation, and other issues. The Justice Department had stated that initial construction, focusing on excavation and foundations, would begin as early as Thursday, with above-ground work commencing in May 2027 and the entire project expected to take 33 to 39 months.

The arch is among several expensive projects Trump is pursuing in Washington despite opposition from local officials and conservationists. These include rebuilding the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial and overhauling the Kennedy Center. The arch has faced significant legal challenges, with both Virginia and the District of Columbia suing the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior, calling the project "legally indefensible" and expressing concerns about its impact on traffic.

Trump suggested the arch would also serve as a military asset, housing drones and snipers, and serve as a prominent symbol of military power. The arch, set to be located across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial, would be taller than the US Capitol and visible to approaching aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.