Lawsuit seeks to block Trump arch construction starting Nov. 5

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit are requesting a federal injunction to stop the Trump administration from beginning construction of a triumphal arch along the Potomac River, according to oneidadispatch.com. The National Park Service (NPS) indicated it might start work as early as November 5, pending final approvals.

The plaintiffs, including three veterans and a retired architectural historian, asked U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to prohibit any construction at Memorial Circle without congressional authorization during the ongoing litigation, wohfradio.com reported.

The NPS and the executive office of the president filed a notice stating that construction could begin after the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approves the site and building plans on November 5. The Interior Department must also issue a final decision authorizing construction and publish the proper notification, nbcwashington.com said.

The planned arch, one of former President Trump's projects, is designed to be 250 feet tall. Although Trump mentioned possible national security features such as drones and snipers, the submitted plans do not include these elements but could accommodate them, according to oneidadispatch.com.

The plaintiffs argue that the government's notice shows an intention to start construction imminently without waiting for the court's ruling on cross-motions for summary judgment. The arch has received early approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, wohfradio.com noted.