Washington — A group of three military veterans and an architectural historian filed a petition on Friday seeking a court order to prevent the Trump administration from beginning excavation work on a proposed 250‑foot arch near Arlington Memorial Cemetery.

The U.S. Interior Department announced Thursday that it intends to move forward with the project despite ongoing legal challenges and the fact that final approval from the relevant government planning authority has not yet been secured.

The petitioners argue that the arch, which would be a prominent national monument honoring former President Trump, should not proceed until all statutory review processes are completed and the concerns raised by the veterans and historian are fully addressed.

Legal and procedural concerns

The plaintiffs contend that the Interior Department is bypassing required environmental and historic preservation reviews, potentially violating the National Historic Preservation Act and other federal statutes. They also raise questions about the use of federal land adjacent to a historic cemetery for a partisan monument.

Administration’s response

In a statement, the Interior Department reaffirmed its commitment to honoring the nation’s heritage and said the arch will be built in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The department highlighted the project as a tribute to the values of faith, family, and liberty that President Trump champions.

Next steps

The case will now be considered by a U.S. district judge, who will decide whether to issue an injunction halting the groundbreaking. If the court allows the project to proceed, excavation could begin within weeks.

Stakeholders, including local preservation groups and veterans’ organizations, are expected to submit additional comments during the upcoming public hearing scheduled by the Interior Department.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.