Memorial Bridge | ARLnow.com

Virginia and D.C. sue over arch with construction potentially set to start next week

Published October 31, 2026 at 1:30PM

Protest against the proposed arch in Memorial Circle on Oct. 1, 2026 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch are mounting, with the District of Columbia and Virginia suing in federal court today (Saturday) as the administration says construction could begin as early as next week.

There are now three lawsuits calling for a halt to potential work on a monument that would rise 250 feet in Memorial Circle, at the Virginia end of Memorial Bridge near Arlington National Cemetery. That would make the arch 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty is from its base to the top of the torch.

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‘No Kings’ marches coming to Arlington neighborhoods, Memorial Bridge tomorrow

By Dan Egitto

Published October 16, 2026 at 11:15AM

Protesters at a rally in Memorial Circle earlier this month (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Several get-out-the-vote rallies and marches will be taking place in Arlington tomorrow (Saturday).

Crowds are expected near Memorial Circle and in several residential neighborhoods in the morning. They’re among more than 2,000 events planned across the country as organizers from the “No Kings” movement encourage voter turnout in the midterms.

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Crowds, lawmakers protest Trump’s arch in Memorial Circle

By Dan Egitto

Published October 1, 2026 at 11:50AM

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer speaks at a protest against the proposed arch in Memorial Circle (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A crowd of protesters joined several members of Congress and local officials this morning (Thursday) to protest plans for a towering arch in Memorial Circle.

Speakers including U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), senators from Oregon and Illinois, a retired U.S. Army colonel and Arlington County Board member J.D. Spain Sr. kicked off a full day of demonstrations planned near the traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

Events

D.C. Bike Ride brings Arlington road closures this weekend

By Dan Egitto

Published September 9, 2026 at 10:00AM

Bicyclists in a past D.C. Bike Ride (via D.C. Bike Ride/Facebook)

Some routes between Arlington and D.C. will be impacted by a bike ride this weekend.

The 10th annual D.C. Bike Ride will mostly take place in the District on Saturday, but will take two detours across the Potomac, according to a list of road closures.

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NEW: Excavation for Trump’s arch at Memorial Circle to begin within two weeks

By ARLnow.com and The Associated Press

Published September 3, 2026 at 7:30PM

Flags placed by workers are pictured in the Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary, Friday, May 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Excavation work is set to start over the next two weeks at Memorial Circle, where the Trump administration plans to build a towering, gilded arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

The administration announced the timeline Thursday. The project is facing a lawsuit, and critics say it will disrupt historic sightlines in Washington, D.C.

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National Park Service backs Trump’s arch, despite its impact on Washington’s sightline

By The Associated Press

Published August 29, 2026 at 10:45AM

Visitors walk at the Great American State Fair with the triumphal arch model and the U.S. Capitol, in the background, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new National Park Service report backs President Donald Trump’s proposed arch, despite what it says are adverse effects to the sightline between a host of iconic landmarks in Washington, including the Washington Monument and Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.

The report released Friday says the 250-foot-tall (76-meter) memorial arch is likely to disrupt the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location adjacent to Memorial Bridge.

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UPDATED: Trump’s plan for a triumphal arch in DC wins early approval from a key federal agency

By The Associated Press

Published July 9, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated July 9, 2026 at 5:48PM

Visitors walk at the Great American State Fair with the triumphal arch model and the U.S. Capitol, in the background, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plans to build a skyline-altering arch in the nation’s capital won initial approval Thursday from a key federal commission.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve preliminary site and building plans for the 250-foot (76-meter) arch the Republican president wants to build on a traffic circle at the Virginia end of Memorial Bridge from Washington.

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NEW: State lawmakers urge Park Service to reject Trump’s arch near Memorial Bridge

By ARLnow.com

Published June 16, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated June 16, 2026 at 4:00PM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

A group of Northern Virginia state lawmakers is urging the National Park Service to reject President Trump’s planned 250-foot “triumphal arch” near Arlington National Cemetery and Memorial Bridge.

In a letter sent Monday, 25 Democratic senators and delegates asked the agency to find that the arch would harm historic sites and to “decline to approve it.” Their districts cover Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax and other parts of Northern Virginia — the communities, they wrote, “most directly affected by this project.”

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Administration plans intensive, year-round construction schedule for Trump’s triumphal arch

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published June 11, 2026 at 9:15AM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

Construction of the 250-foot-high triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built near Memorial Bridge could occur 20 hours per day, year-round, as officials push to complete the project within three years.

That’s according to a preliminary assessment by the National Park Service.

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Arch planned near Arlington Nat’l Cemetery clears a hurdle despite sightline concerns

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published June 4, 2026 at 8:45PM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

The National Capital Planning Commission has kept alive the triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built between the Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery.

However, the body is requesting more information on how it could potentially impact air travel navigation in the area, as well as other specifics on construction and traffic in the area.

News

Beyer to introduce bill blocking Trump’s proposed ‘triumphal arch’ near Arlington Nat’l Cemetery

By ARLnow.com

Published May 28, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated May 28, 2026 at 9:45AM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) is taking legislative aim at President Trump’s proposed 250-foot “triumphal arch” near Arlington National Cemetery.

Beyer announced Wednesday that he will introduce the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act this week alongside Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.). The bill would explicitly prohibit a triumphal arch from being built in the area, permanently bar federal funds from being used for one, and prohibit similar “non-Congressionally approved structures” on any National Park Service land in the National Capital Region, according to a press release from Beyer’s office.

News

NEW: Commission approves Trump’s triumphal arch design as administration plans to skip Congress

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published May 21, 2026 at 3:30PM

The Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday approved the design for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built near Memorial Bridge, even as the administration signals it does not plan to seek congressional approval for the project.

Commissioners, all appointed by Trump, acted despite overwhelming public opposition to the 250-foot arch, one of several projects the Republican president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his imprint on Washington.