Court order halts construction of the Arc de Triomphe in Washington, D.C.

The courts blocked the start of construction on the Arc de Triomphe in Washington, D.C. just hours after the commission responsible for authorizing it gave the green light to the project promoted by President Donald Trump.

Judge Tanya Chutkan, presiding over the case, ruled on Thursday that construction cannot begin for the time being while she evaluates the challenges to its legality.

This court ruling came shortly after the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) authorized the construction of the Arc de Triomphe through a vote in which eight of its 12 members gave their approval.

The main objection raised by the project's critics is the monument's location. The structure, approximately 250 feet tall and inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, is planned to be built next to Arlington National Cemetery, where thousands of soldiers who fell in conflicts such as the Civil War, the two World Wars, and the Vietnam War, among others, are laid to rest.

In April, Trump unveiled the design for the Arc de Triomphe using a scale model displayed in the Oval Office.

"I am pleased to announce that today my Administration has officially submitted to the prestigious Commission of Fine Arts the proposal and plans for what will be the largest and most beautiful Arc de Triomphe in the world. It will be a wonderful addition to the Washington, D.C., area that all Americans will be able to enjoy for many decades to come!" said the president.

According to sketches released by the president himself, the structure would feature a winged figure of Liberty at the top, flanked by two golden eagles. The structure would be crowned with inscriptions such as "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All."

A few days later, the Commission of Fine Arts approved the project, as did the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which also had to give its approval because the monument could have posed a threat to airspace.

A few weeks ago, Trump announced that the Arc de Triomphe will house a military complex for drones and snipers for "national security" reasons.