A U.S. federal judge on Oct. 30 questioned the government’s use of national security to justify Donald Trump’s planned 76-meter arch in Washington, calling it the first time such reasoning had been applied to the project.
District Judge Tanya Chutkan noted that the government’s argument that Trump’s massive arch, modeled after Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, required national security measures, calling the claim “not talismanic” in this case. The judge’s remarks came as a group of Vietnam War veterans sued to block construction, which could begin as early as next week.
Judge Challenges National Security Rationale
Wendy Liu, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said that given its massive size, the arch would obscure the sight lines between the Lincoln Memorial, one of Washington’s iconic landmarks, and Arlington National Cemetery, a final resting place for hundreds of thousands of American service members. The lawsuit was filed by a group of Vietnam War veterans seeking to stop construction, which could start as early as next week.
Trump Pursues Capital Building Projects
The arch is one of a number of projects launched by Trump in a bid to put his personal stamp on the capital. Other projects include a White House ballroom, renovations to the Reflecting Pool, and a contentious plan to revamp the East Potomac Golf Links. Trump has also proposed revamping the East Potomac Golf Links, a historic waterfront Washington golf course. That project is the focus of a bitter legal battle: the judge presiding over the case launched an investigation on Oct 30 into whether lawyers for the Trump administration had lied to the court.
Court Investigates Legal Tactics
That project is the focus of a bitter legal battle: the judge presiding over the case launched an investigation on Oct 30 into whether lawyers for the Trump administration had lied to the court. The judge presiding over the case launched an investigation on Oct 30 into whether lawyers for the Trump administration had lied to the court.
The Justice Department and a group of Vietnam War veterans faced off in a Washington, D.C., courtroom on Friday over the fate of the 250-foot arch that President Trump wants to build between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan…
Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan is scheduled to hear arguments in Washington on Friday from Vietnam War veterans and the Justice Department over @realDonaldTrump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. The plaintiffs are… pic.twitter.com/XqAeg2oWRr
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A federal judge just put President Trump’s planned triumphal arch on a 48-hour leash. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the administration on Sept. 4 to warn the court before almost any work near Arlington National Cemetery, allowing only archaeological surveys under an… pic.twitter.com/VzMR19AD2p