Arlington County sues to block Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch
publishers 26articles 28first reported 9 Oct, 00:30 UTCdeveloping since 9 Oct · 8 editions
Arlington County, Virginia, sued the Trump administration Thursday to block construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle, near Arlington National Cemetery.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges that the National Park Service rushed its review and failed to adequately consider the project’s environmental, historic and public-safety effects under the National Environmental Policy Act. The county seeks to halt demolition and construction until a legally sufficient review is completed and to set aside the Park Service’s finding that the project would have no significant impact.
County officials say the arch could obstruct historic sightlines between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, worsen traffic and impede emergency routes. The complaint also warns of potential vibration damage to an aging federal water main serving the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport, as well as aviation concerns related to nearby flight corridors.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the design in May. Trump has said the arch, planned to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, could also store drones and ammunition and provide a location for snipers.
The Interior Department said it continues to follow all laws and regulations. White House spokesman Davis Ingle called the lawsuit meritless and said the administration had complied with procedural and legal requirements.
A federal judge in a separate Washington case previously ordered the administration to give 48 hours’ notice before beginning construction.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 36 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 26
- Source articles
- 28
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 36 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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