On Thursday night, the US federal judiciary issued an order to stop the construction of the “Arc de Triomphe” project, which Trump intends to build in Washington. The court stopped the start of construction of the arch, for a period of two weeks, to consider the appeals submitted against the legality of the project. Veterans who participated in the Vietnam War had filed a lawsuit against the construction of this edifice.

Published on: 06/11/2026 - 09:01 Last updated: 06/11/2026 - 09:11

On Thursday night, a US federal judge ordered the halt of the huge project to build the Arc de Triomphe in Washington, which President Donald Trump wants to build, despite the project obtaining the approval of the Urban Planning Commission.

District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan prevented the Trump administration from starting construction of the arch for two weeks, to allow the court to consider appeals against the legality of the project.

Veterans who participated in the Vietnam War filed a lawsuit against the construction of this edifice, as the arch, with its huge dimensions, would block the view between the Lincoln Memorial, one of the historical monuments in Washington, and Arlington National Cemetery, which contains the remains of hundreds of thousands of American military personnel.

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The judicial decision was announced shortly after the National Capital Planning Committee approved the project, on Thursday, by a majority of eight votes to four.

Trump's projects to "beautify" Washington

According to the project, the arch is more than 76 meters high, much higher than the “Arc de Triomphe” in Paris, which was inspired by it, and its height is about fifty metres.

It is one of several projects launched by Trump to beautify the American capital and add his personal stamp to it. These projects include a ballroom being built at the White House and a project to renovate the reflection pool on the National Mall, in addition to a proposal to redevelop an ancient golf course on the banks of the Potomac River.

Trump's name was also placed on the Kennedy Center for the Arts, which bears the name of the late President John F. Kennedy, before a judge ordered the measure to be overturned.

On Thursday, Trump signed an order designating the Oval Office a national landmark.

France 24/AFP

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