Applaud Veterans Challenging Trump’s 250-Foot Arch

Military veterans, lawmakers, and advocates are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, raising concerns about its location, legal authorization, and impact on the historic landscape.

Veterans gathered at Memorial Circle on Thursday for a “Veterans Over Vanity” demonstration alongside Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Jeff Merkley, Rep. Don Beyer, and other opponents of the project. They argue that the proposed arch would disrupt the symbolic sightline connecting Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

Three Vietnam veterans—Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes, and Jon Gundersen—have also joined architectural historian Calder Loth in a federal lawsuit seeking to block construction. Their lawsuit argues that the administration cannot build the monument at Memorial Circle without authorization from Congress. 

The dispute has taken on new urgency as Trump moves forward with preliminary work. After Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced plans for excavation, the court ordered the government to provide notice before undertaking construction-related activity beyond archaeological work.

The fight also centers on preserving a landscape intended to honor generations of service members. Any major changes to Memorial Circle should comply with federal law and preserve the historic relationship between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

Add your name to applaud the veterans and others challenging the proposed 250-foot arch and seeking to preserve Memorial Circle!