DC and Virginia sue to block Trump’s proposed triumphal arch

The District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia have filed a joint lawsuit on Saturday seeking to stop the construction of a large triumphal arch proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The complaint describes the project as “flagrantly unlawful” and “legally indefensible”, asking a federal court to bar any building work before it begins. Attorneys General Brian Schwalb of Washington, DC, and Jay Jones of Virginia argue the arch would cause “irreparable harm” to both jurisdictions, disrupting commuter traffic, slowing emergency vehicles and generating pollution, including storm‑water runoff into the Potomac.

The proposed monument would rise 76 metres (250 ft) from the Memorial Circle in Washington, DC, standing 30 metres taller than the Statue of Liberty. The 12‑storey design includes a winged bronze statue of Lady Liberty, an observation deck, programme spaces, offices and a “fire command centre”. The administration has said ground could be broken as early as the week of 5 November.

The lawsuit joins two earlier legal challenges – an October 8 filing by Arlington County and a February action by Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian – bringing the total number of cases against the arch to three. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the February case, has indicated a decision on a preliminary injunction is forthcoming.

Source: Al Jazeera. Photo: Mark Stebnicki / Pexels.