The Reconciliation Monument, also known as the Confederate Memorial, nestled in the heart of Arlington National Cemetery, recently came under threat of removal. However, thanks to a Trump-nominated federal judge, the historic monument has been granted a temporary reprieve.

The monument, approved in 1906 by Secretary of War William Taft and unveiled in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson, found itself on the chopping block due to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021. This act called for the removal of all symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America from Department of Defense assets by January 1, 2024.

A group called Defend Arlington, affiliated with Save Southern Heritage Florida, wasn’t about to let the monument go down without a fight. They filed a federal lawsuit last month in the District of Columbia accusing the Army, which oversees the cemetery, of violating regulations in an effort to expedite the removal process.

Their legal efforts were initially dismissed by the D.C. federal court. However, they took their fight to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, arguing that the removal would desecrate and likely destroy the memorial, impeding its eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston Jr., appointed by former President Trump, threw a wrench into the removal plans, granting Defend Arlington a temporary restraining order on Monday. Alston reportedly expressed concerns that grave sites might be disturbed during the removal process.

Interestingly, the controversy surrounding the monument has crossed party lines. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) and 40 Republicans penned a letter to Defense Secretary Austin last week, requesting a suspension of all removal activities related to the Reconciliation Monument until Congress finalized the appropriations process for fiscal year 2024.

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) also voiced his opposition to the statue’s removal in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. He wrote that toppling the statue would signify the desire of a “deteriorating society … to erase the generosity of its past.”

It’s clear that the fate of the Reconciliation Monument is far from settled. While many celebrate this temporary victory, the clock is ticking with the January 1, 2024 deadline looming. Only time will tell what will happen with the monument.