From Law & Crime · · 4m
Just Issue a Decision: DOJ Rids Trump Arch Lawsuit
DOJ calls Trump's arch 'nonsense' as judge delays decision on construction.
In brief
DOJ calls Trump's arch 'nonsense' as judge delays decision on construction. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the DOJ to provide notice before approving Trump's 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle, but the DOJ criticized her 'problematic' injunctions and claimed the arch is 'undeniably authorized' by Congress…
Trump Administration Accuses Judge
One day after a judge ordered the DOJ to provide notice of key developments, the Trump administration accused her of delay and said she should 'just issue a decision' on the president's Great Triumphal Arch.
“just issue a decision”
Veterans Challenge Arch Construction
Vietnam War veterans have primarily led the charge in challenging the looming 'top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch' at Memorial Circle, which President Trump said would house, store, and have rapid ability to use large numbers…
“top grade military complex triumphal arch”
Plaintiffs File Lawsuit
The Commonwealth of Virginia and Washington, D.C., have since filed suit, most recently asking U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to issue a temporary restraining order as the key date of Nov. 5 fast approaches.
“temporary restraining order”
Halloween Motion to Prevent Construction
In a Halloween motion, the newest plaintiffs said they intend to 'prevent construction' of the 250-foot-tall arch and claimed 'its construction violates at least five federal statutes'.
“prevent construction”
Defendants' Construction Plan
Defendants have made clear they will construct their Arch anyway and have signaled they are willing to outrun this Court by threatening to start construction as soon as November 5, 2026, on the very day…
“the very day the arch is approved by the national capital planning commission”
Judge's Skeptical Question
The arch is somehow intended to prevent assassination attempts against the president? The judge reportedly asked while skeptical of the government's position.
“it's going to be completed three years from now”
Judge Issues Notice Order
Chutkan on Monday issued an order with 'notice' requirements, seemingly tailored to give her time to act before the National Capital Planning Commission may approve the project on Nov. 5.
“notice requirements”
DOJ Opposes TRO
When the DOJ filed its opposition to the requested TRO on Monday, it pointedly tore into the Barack Obama-appointed jurist's 'problematic notice injunctions' and cited a concurrence from the late Justice Antonin Scalia to accuse…
“problematic notice injunctions”
Plaintiffs Request Clarification
A subsequent court filing asked Chutkan to clarify her order and 'modify the timeframes in which notice must be provided to 24-hours'.
“modify the timeframes in which notice must be provided to 24-hours”
DOJ Claims Arch is Authorized
At the same time, the DOJ claims that Trump's arch was 'undeniably authorized' by Congress more than 100 years ago when '166-foot-tall columns surmounted by statues' were approved but never built.
“undeniably authorized”
DOJ Argues Lack of Standing
The government highlighted Washington, D.C.'s apparent concerns about the arch's impact on 'endangered' bats, specifically the 'northern long-eared' and 'tricolored' variety, as an example of 'nonsense'.
“endangered bats”
Plaintiffs Urge Judge Not to Gut Order
[G]iving Defendants a full day to build the Arch free of judicial oversight would enable them to inflict the very irreparable injuries that Plaintiffs' motion is designed to prevent.
“irreparable injuries”
Arch Construction Timeline
The arch is being constructed in a traffic circle, not a forest or a bat cave, the government said, to counter concerns about bat habitats.
“traffic circle”
Judge's Final Order
Chutkan ordered the DOJ to provide notice within one hour of any decision by the National Capital Planning Commission, any decision by the National Park Service, and any decision by the Department of the Interior…
“one hour”
Arch Construction Timeline
Defendants shall also provide notice within thirty minutes of any activity related to or in preparation for the construction of an arch on Memorial Circle.
“thirty minutes”
Arch Construction Timeline
Any construction or demolition in preparation for construction before the National Park Service issues final agency action authorizing construction or without 14 days' notice would be a violation of the court's previous orders.
“fourteen days”
The main idea
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the DOJ to provide notice before approving Trump's 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle, but the DOJ criticized her 'problematic' injunctions and claimed the arch is 'undeniably authorized' by Congress.
