A federal judge sharply challenged the Trump administration’s rush to build a controversial 250-foot arch in Washington on Friday, questioning whether the president simply wanted to “bedazzle the city,” CNN reported.
“What’s the harm to the government to wait 3 or 4 months? What’s the rush to put this arch up?” U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan asked, questioning its national security rationale.
The administration argues the proposed monument would serve as both a tourist attraction and a military complex storing drones and ammunition.
“We’re not talking about plans for a cafeteria, how exactly does the administration plan to use this for national security?” Chutkan asked DOJ attorney Robert Stander.
When Stander referenced attempts on Trump’s life, the judge challenged the connection.
“The arch is somehow supposed to deter assassination attempts on the president? It’s going to be completed 3 years from now,” she said.
Chutkan also questioned placing military equipment at a site DOJ says could attract 22,000 tourists daily.
The exchanges came as veterans sought an emergency order halting construction, arguing the arch would undermine Arlington National Cemetery’s sanctity and obstruct views connecting national landmarks.
DOJ argued the plans were not yet final, although construction could begin the day the plans are approved. Chutkan noted that could leave anyone seeking to challenge the approval only one day to sue.
“What would be final agency action,” she asked, “when bulldozers start digging up the ground?”