From BBC News · · 1m 50s
Judge blocks Trump's triumphal arch in Washington
A federal judge halts construction of Donald Trump's planned 250ft arch near Arlington National Cemetery after the National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve it.
In brief
A federal judge halts construction of Donald Trump's planned 250ft arch near Arlington National Cemetery after the National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve it. A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of Trump's proposed triumphal arch in Washington after the National Capital Planning Commission…
Judge halts arch construction
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled there should be a fourteen day pause before work starts on the planned two hundred fifty foot arch in Washington.
Commission votes to approve
The National Capital Planning Commission voted eight to four to allow construction of the arch, which the Trump administration said could begin this week.
The Arc de Trump design
The arch features a golden winged Lady Liberty statue on top, flanked by two gold eagles. The phrases One Nation Under God and Liberty and Justice for All are inscribed in gold.
Trump's military equipment claim
The Trump administration said the arch would double as a complex to store military equipment with the ability to deploy snipers and drones.Trump wrote there will be no facility like this anywhere in the world.
“There will be no facility like this anywhere in the World.”
Veterans vow to block work
Anne Wright, who spent twenty nine years in the US military, told the BBC she would try to stop construction. We'll tie ourselves to the bulldozer, she said.
“We'll tie ourselves to the bulldozer, we've got veterans in wheelchairs and we'll chain the wheelchairs to these things.”
Arlington views at stake
Opponents argue the arch would block views of Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. Democratic Congressman Jared Huffman called it a tribute to Donald Trump, not the nation.
“This is a tribute to Donald Trump.”
Multiple legal challenges ahead
Lawsuits have been filed raising concerns about the environment, traffic congestion and safety. There is also disagreement over whether congressional approval is needed to build the arch.
The big picture
A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of Trump's proposed triumphal arch in Washington after the National Capital Planning Commission voted eight to four to allow it.
