Federal Judge Stops Trump's Arch Project Less Than an Hour After It Was Approved

Townhall ^ | 11-06-2026 | Jeff Charles

[Responsibility2nd]

A federal judge blocked construction of President Donald Trump’s planned arch project about an hour after it was approved.

The National Capital Planning Commission approved the 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle by an 8-4 vote on Thursday after hearing eight hours of testimony from over 120 citizens, according to USA Today.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted late Nov. 5 to approve the project after hearing from about 100 opponents, including Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia said the project would "snarl traffic for years, impact the nearby airport, and present even more serious threats to public safety that this commission has refused to acknowledge and grapple with."

The commission's approval had appeared to clear the way for the Trump administration to begin excavation and foundation work within days. The U.S. Department of Justice previously said an initial six to eight months of excavation and foundation work could begin as early as this week, while the National Park Service could issue final permits or other authorizations.

But U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Nov. 5 granted a temporary restraining order sought by the District of Columbia and Virginia, barring the administration from initiating construction.

The order blocks, for 14 days, any construction, excavation, demolition, land-disturbing work, utility installation, roadway closures or other activity related to building the arch at Memorial Circle on Columbus Island while the court considers the case.

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TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: judgeblockstrump; obamastooge; tanyachutkan; trumparch

[Responsibility2nd]

For once, a federal judge goes the right direction.

[OrioleFan]

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Where have I heard this name before???

[E. Pluribus Unum]

[Resolute Conservative]

Another DEI appointment.

[lastchance]

I have to agree. I guess it’s time to take a blind pig truffle hunting.

[Miami Rebel]

Most of the commission are administration appointees.

[sphinx]

I agree.

[ComputerGuy]

A blind squirrel

[Nervous Tick]

>> U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Where have I heard this name before???

Believe that when satan married hillary, Chutkan was one of the bridesmaids. Or maybe a groomsman, I don’t recall for sure from the NYT wedding page story.

[bert]

If one of the arch sculptures was a lynched Blackman, it would not have been taken to court

[Vaduz]

The National Capital Planning Commission approved the 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle by an 8-4 vote.

Freak judge has a fit screams NO NO NO I have a robe it makes me a queen.

[j.havenfarm]

I favor the arch, but not in any adamant sort of way.

But let me ask you this: do you favor the judge’s ruling because you agree with her analysis of the applicable statute, or because it’s just the result you like? I don’t have an opinion since, as usual in media, left, right and center, their coverage of legal issues is sloppy and, in this case, completely uninformative. She rules against Trump in every case that comes before her. I think we’ve reached a sad place if conservatives cheer the rulings of lawless judges just because we like the result without regard to whether it’s properly grounded in law

[Flint]

Like the traffic in and around DC is not already snarled up?

[Cecily]

It probably won’t stop President Lame Duck from wasting time litigating over this useless project. He seems not to have anything better to do for his last two years.

[Regulator]

The Best Judge Jamaica can provide

She’s the Real American™