Explained: As Congress returns to Democrats, one likely casualty emerges: Trump's District of Columbia projects

Democrats will control Congress starting in the new term, gaining 54 Senate seats and 237 House seats versus 44 and 147 for Republicans.

National Capital Planning Commission

The federal body that approved the arch project and whose chairman is Trump-appointed.

temporary restraining order

A court order DC and Virginia requested to immediately halt arch construction pending the lawsuit.

amicus briefs

Legal filings by non-parties, in this case some members of Congress, supporting opposition to the projects.

general counsel of the House

A House legal officer appointed by the Speaker, relevant because House control changes who holds this role.

National Guard mobilization

Trump's August 2025 order deploying Guard troops to DC, now affected by new Democratic governors in four states.