Federal judge tells Trump administration it cannot begin work on Washington arch for 14 days

WASHINGTON: A federal judge early Friday blocked the Trump administration from breaking ground on a towering memorial arch for 14 days.

The temporary restraining order by US District Judge Tanya Chutkan halting the work represents a major setback for one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent projects in his vision to remake Washington.

The decision followed a series of steps taken earlier Thursday by the government, including the final approval of the arch by the National Capital Planning Commission in an 8-4 vote after a nine hour hearing where dozens of witnesses opposed the construction.

The administration said the work could begin as soon as the approval and the Interior Department issued a final decision authorizing construction and the proper notification was published by the National Park Service.