Rejection of 'National Security' Pretext: Trump's Arc de Triomphe Plan Faces Obstacles

A US federal judge on Friday rejected government claims that the massive arch President Donald Trump plans to build in Washington constitutes a national security necessity.

Trump did not cite national security concerns when he first announced the plan for the 76-meter-high arch inspired by Paris's "Arc de Triomphe."

However, he later stated in a post on the Truth Social platform that the arch would include a "military complex" usable by snipers and for deploying drones.

Judge Tanya Chutkan noted that the Republican president also relied on the national security pretext before the Supreme Court to justify building a ballroom at the White House.

Chutkan said, "The use of national security does not sanctify it in this case," adding: "This is the first time the government has raised a national security aspect in this matter."

For his part, Robert Stander, a lawyer at the Department of Justice, described the arch as a "top priority project" for the administration.

A group of Vietnam War veterans filed the lawsuit demanding a halt to the construction of the arch, which begins next week.

The plaintiffs' lawyers explained that due to its enormous size, the arch would block the view between the "Lincoln Memorial," one of Washington's historical landmarks, and "Arlington" National Cemetery, which holds the remains of hundreds of thousands of American servicemen.

This arch is one of several projects launched by Trump to beautify the US capital and leave his personal mark on it.

These projects include a ballroom being built at the White House, a renovation of the Reflecting Pool in the "National Mall" area, and a proposal to redevelop a prestigious golf course on the banks of the "Potomac" River.

Trump's name was also placed on the "Kennedy Center for the Arts," named after late President John F. Kennedy, before a judge ordered the reversal of this action.

Judge Chutkan did not issue an immediate ruling in the case concerning the arch, but confirmed she would do so "as soon as possible."