A federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the removal of the Reconciliation Monument in Arlington National Cemetery.
The lawsuit, filed by Defend Arlington, sought to halt the monument's removal and was heard in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. A hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday to further address the matter.
Although work had already begun on Monday morning, the order was issued before the monument could be fully deconstructed.
The cemetery had previously announced that it expected to complete the removal this week, citing a requirement from Congress.
The lawsuit alleges that the Army, which oversees the cemetery, violated regulations in seeking the monument's removal. It argues that removing the monument would desecrate and damage the longstanding memorial, potentially hindering its eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Last week, a federal judge in the District of Columbia dismissed a similar lawsuit brought by the same group seeking to block the removal. However, US District Judge Rossie Alston has instructed the plaintiffs to be prepared to discuss how that case may impact the decision on whether to extend the restraining order beyond Wednesday.
In a footnote, Judge Alston emphasized the importance of truthful representations in court proceedings, warning that appropriate sanctions may be imposed if any misrepresentations are discovered.
The temporary restraining order issued by the Trump-appointed judge has effectively halted the removal of the Reconciliation Monument in Arlington National Cemetery. The upcoming hearing will provide an opportunity for further examination of the case and its potential implications.
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