US President Donald Trump’s proposed giant triumphal arch in Washington, DC, could move into construction within weeks despite an ongoing legal battle over the project.
In a court filing submitted on Wednesday, the Trump administration said construction could begin as early as November 5, the same day a commission aligned with the president is scheduled to vote on the proposed site and building plans.
The planned 250-foot (76-metre) white arch would be built along the Potomac River near Arlington National Cemetery. Inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the structure would be significantly taller and feature gold statues of an angel and eagles at the top.
However, the project has attracted opposition over its potential impact on the area’s historic landmarks. Its height would disrupt the sight lines between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, where hundreds of thousands of American service members are buried.
In September, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the Trump administration to give the court 48 hours’ notice before carrying out any activity at the site connected to or in preparation for the arch’s construction.
The legal challenge was filed in February by Vietnam War veterans, who argue that a project of such a scale requires congressional approval.
Since returning to the White House in 2025, Trump, a former real estate mogul, has pursued several renovation projects in the US capital, some of which have faced legal disputes.
These include an expensive ballroom project at the White House, which involved the demolition of an entire wing of the presidential mansion, and plans involving the Kennedy Center performing arts venue. Trump previously threatened to demolish the centre unless his name was displayed on it.
Another dispute concerns the historic East Potomac Golf Links, which Trump wants to redesign. The project has encountered legal setbacks following the cutting down of hundreds of trees.
Despite the legal challenges, the administration’s latest court filing indicates that preparations for the proposed arch could advance in the coming weeks.
