Oregon Sen. Merkley says Americans want cheaper gas and health care after judge blocks President Trump’s ‘ego-fueled’ 250-foot arch approved by panel led by his allies

Oregon – Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley criticized President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., after a federal judge blocked the project, arguing that the administration should focus on lowering everyday costs rather than spending billions on a monument honoring the president. “The American people want cheaper gas, groceries, and health care. Trump wants to waste BILLIONS on ego-fueled monuments to himself,” Merkley wrote on X. He also argued that voters had rejected what he described as Trump’s “families lose, billionaires win vision,” adding that he would continue fighting against the president’s proposed projects.

The senator’s comments came after U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from beginning construction on the proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery. The ruling came early Friday, November 6, less than an hour after the National Capital Planning Commission approved the project’s plans in an 8-4 vote. The commission’s decision followed a lengthy public hearing that lasted approximately nine hours and included testimony from more than 120 people. Many of those who spoke, including veterans and preservation advocates, opposed the project, raising concerns about its location, its impact on historic landmarks and the lack of congressional authorization.

According to The New York Times, the judge granted a request from Washington, D.C., and Virginia, which had filed a lawsuit challenging the construction. The governments argued that beginning work could cause immediate harm, including traffic disruptions, complications for emergency response and financial costs that could not easily be recovered.

Chutkan also questioned the administration’s legal argument that a 1925 congressional authorization allowed the project to move forward. The administration had argued that the century-old legislation provided the authority needed to build the structure, despite the absence of more recent congressional approval.

The judge was also unconvinced by the administration’s national security arguments, which officials had raised to support the project. The proposed arch would stand approximately 250 feet tall at Memorial Circle, near the Potomac River, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Trump has promoted the structure as a monument honoring the nation’s history, military and 250th anniversary.

However, the project has faced criticism from veterans, lawmakers and historic preservation groups, with opponents arguing that it would disrupt important views surrounding Arlington National Cemetery and other historic sites.

The Associated Press reported that the administration’s own review identified potential adverse effects on as many as 42 historic sites, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial corridor. Critics have also questioned whether the project has received the necessary authorization from Congress and whether federal funds can legally be used for its construction. The project’s final approval by the National Capital Planning Commission came despite those objections. The commission’s supporters described the arch as a tribute to veterans and American identity, while opponents argued that it was a personal monument to Trump rather than a national memorial.

Photo Courtesy – Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) via X / PrtScr Video (https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/2028505632123326484)

The cost of the project also remains a point of contention. The exact price and funding arrangements have not been finalized, although estimates have reached as high as $100 million, according to The Guardian. The Justice Department previously told a court that construction would take approximately 33 to 39 months, meaning the structure would not be completed before Trump leaves office. Merkley’s criticism also comes amid broader scrutiny of Trump’s construction and renovation plans in Washington. The president has pushed forward with several high-profile projects, including a planned White House ballroom and renovations to federal landmarks.

Reuters reported that Trump devoted his first public appearance after the Republican Party’s major election losses to promoting the White House ballroom project, highlighting its construction progress and planned features. The focus on the project drew criticism from some Republicans who urged the president to prioritize the economy and consumer prices. The White House has continued to defend the arch. Following the court’s decision, a spokesperson criticized the ruling and said the administration was confident it would ultimately prevail in the legal proceedings.

For now, the judge’s order only temporarily prevents construction-related work from moving forward for 14 days. The legal fight over whether the administration can proceed with the project remains ongoing. Merkley said he would continue opposing what he considers unnecessary spending on Trump’s personal legacy projects, arguing that the administration should instead focus on the costs facing American households, including gasoline, groceries and health care.