US Judge Halts Trump's 'Arc of Triumph' Project

A US federal judge halted on Friday a massive project to build an "Arc of Triumph" in Washington, which President Donald Trump desired, shortly after the project received approval from an urban planning commission.

Judge Tanya Chutkan of the District Court decided to prevent the Trump administration from beginning construction of the arch for two weeks, the period the court will dedicate to reviewing appeals filed against the legality of the project.

The arch, with its enormous dimensions, would obstruct the view between the Lincoln Memorial, one of Washington's historical landmarks, and Arlington National Cemetery, which contains the remains of hundreds of thousands of American military personnel.

Veterans who participated in the Vietnam War filed a lawsuit against the construction of this monument.

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

According to the project, the arch exceeds 76 meters in height, significantly higher than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which inspired it and stands at approximately fifty meters.

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

These projects include a celebration hall being built at the White House, a renovation project for the Reflecting Pool in the National Mall area, as well as a proposal to redevelop a historic golf course along 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 cancellation of this action.

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