A proposed monument near the nation’s capital is drawing fierce legal opposition — and construction could begin within days. Three separate lawsuits are now demanding that courts step in before the first shovel hits the ground.
The Trump administration’s plan to build a towering memorial arch near the Potomac River has become one of the most legally contested construction projects in recent Washington memory. The proposed structure would stand 250 feet tall — roughly 100 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty measured from base to torch — on a narrow stretch of land connecting the District of Columbia to Arlington National Cemetery.
As of Saturday, both Washington, D.C. and Virginia have filed suit in federal court, joining an earlier case brought by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian. All three lawsuits seek to pause the project before work begins. The administration, according to court documents, has indicated that construction could begin as early as next week.
What the Lawsuits Argue
The newest lawsuit was filed jointly by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb and Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones. Their filing argues that breaking ground on the project would cause immediate and lasting harm to both jurisdictions. In their own words:
“As soon as Defendants break ground on this project, they will inflict irreparable harm on both the District and Virginia. The Arch site sits at the center of a major traffic artery between the District and Virginia, in the monumental core of the capital, on an island that straddles the Potomac River. During the three-year period of construction, the Arch project will inevitably snarl traffic between the jurisdictions, produce pollution and stormwater runoff in the Potomac, interfere with emergency services, and pose numerous other challenges.”
Among the specific concerns raised is how traffic disruptions could compromise emergency response times in a region that regularly relies on joint operations across state and district lines. The lawsuit points to the January 2025 midair collision between a military helicopter and a passenger airliner that killed 67 people as an example of why coordinated emergency access in the area is critical.
The original lawsuit, filed by veterans and a historian, is already before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. She held a hearing Friday but did not issue an immediate ruling, though she indicated she would act quickly. All three cases include requests for temporary restraining orders to halt the administration’s plans.
What the Project Would Look Like
On Friday, the administration submitted a detailed 106-page plan for the memorial arch. The proposal describes a structure more than 12 stories high featuring a large bronze statue of Lady Liberty with wings and a torch carrying an eternal flame. Plans call for an observation deck with views to the east and west, an “occupied roof,” and two mezzanines.
Inside the arch, the design includes office space, a staff lounge, program rooms, circular staircases, multiple elevators, and a “fire command center.” Significant changes to nearby road traffic are also proposed, with some routes being rerouted entirely. Administration officials have stated the arch will serve a national security function as well.
The Republican administration had sought final approval for the project at Thursday’s meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, with the possibility of beginning construction the same day — despite two active lawsuits already pending at that time. Donald Trump has been described as a strong supporter of the project. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the legal challenges.
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