White House defends Trump arch despite legal block
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Citizen Digital
The White House is defending Donald Trump’s triumphal arch project in Washington despite a 14-day judicial suspension. The commission responsible for planning the US capital approved the project by 8 votes to 4, while legal proceedings continue, according to the White House.
The White House on Friday 6 November rejected a federal judge’s decision to suspend for 14 days the start of construction of the monumental arch wanted by Donald Trump in Washington, saying it was confident the administration would ultimately be vindicated by the courts, Citizen Digital reported via AFP.
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved the project by 8 votes to 4 on Thursday, after several hours of testimony from opponents. The arch is to measure 250 feet, or 76 metres, and be built near Arlington National Cemetery, opposite the Lincoln Memorial, according to Citizen Digital.
Four members of the commission had called for the vote to be postponed, citing legal questions and the absence of appropriations approved by Congress. They also challenged the administration’s argument that the arch would have military uses, with Donald Trump having raised the possibility of installing snipers and drones there.
The judicial suspension was issued by Judge Tanya Chutkan after a complaint was filed by veterans and the attorneys general of Washington and Virginia. The 14-day suspension of construction of the arch was announced on 6 November.
