Washington and Virginia sued the Trump administration over a planned Memorial Circle arch
Washington, D.C., and Virginia sued the Trump administration Saturday, asking a federal court to block construction of Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb allege the project lacks required congressional authorization. Trump plans to begin construction as early as next week.
More context
Washington, D.C., and Virginia sued the Trump administration on Saturday to block construction of Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and Washington Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb filed the suit, which asks a federal court to halt construction and site preparation. The lawsuit calls the project “flagrantly unlawful” and alleges that the administration has not obtained the congressional authorization required to build a monument on federal land in Washington. It also accuses the administration of violating the Commemorative Works Act, saying officials have made only “half-hearted gestures” at compliance and may try to “outrun judicial review.” The jurisdictions cite concerns involving traffic, the environment and historic preservation. Construction could begin as early as next week; the National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to review plans on Nov. 5.
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Reporting
- Newsweek — Trump Arch Lawsuit: DC, Virginia Sue to Block 250-Foot Monument - Newsweek
- The Hill — DC, Virginia sue to block Donald Trump's proposed triumphal arch
- The Washington Post — D.C. and Virginia sue to block Trump’s proposed triumphal arch - The Washington Post
- Politico — DC and Virginia sue to block Trump arch construction
- FOX 5 Washington DC — DC, Virginia sue to block proposed 'Triumphal Arch' at Memorial Circle, citing skipped reviews | FOX 5 DC
- The New York Times — Trump’s Arch Faces New Legal Challenge From Virginia and D.C. - The New York Times
- Washington Examiner — DC and Virginia sue to block Trump’s Triumphal Arch in latest legal challenge
- notus.org — D.C., Virginia Sue Trump Adminstration Over Proposed Triumphal Arch - The Washington Sun
Verifier’s note
Newsweek, The Hill, The Washington Post, NOTUS, Politico, FOX 5 DC, The New York Times, and The Washington Examiner all report that Washington, D.C., and Virginia sued to block the proposed arch. Their reports are dated October 31, 2026, consistent with the proposed event’s timing.