Veterans opposed to President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery are stepping up efforts to block the project, less than two weeks before excavation work at the site is slated to begin. The arch is one of several construction and renovation projects undertaken or proposed by the Trump administration as part of a broader effort to beautify and renovate parts of Washington. Trump has said the arch, in particular, is intended to honor veterans.
It’s in honor of the veterans,” Trump has said. VoteVets, a Democratic veterans organization, posted a new video Tuesday featuring veterans and Gold Star families raising concerns about the project’s potential impact on Arlington National Cemetery. It’s about letting a burial ground stay a burial ground,” the organization wrote in a post on X.
She pointed to the proposed observation deck, saying: “We don't need tourists overlooking funerals. I'm just appalled.” Retired Army Major General Paul Eaton, whose father was killed in action during the Vietnam War and is buried at Arlington, raised concerns about the arch disrupting the sight line between the Lincoln Memorial and the cemetery. Eaton called its proposed placement “entirely inappropriate” and said it “borders on sacrilege.” Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on September 3 that excavation work for the proposed Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck at Memorial Circle would begin within two weeks. Burgum called the project “one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture,” saying it would honor the “history” and “significance” of Arlington Cemetery. The following day, on September 4, a group of Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian suing over the proposed triumphal arch sought an emergency court order to halt work on the project.
Veterans Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes, and Jon Gundersen, and architectural historian Calder Loth, argued that the administration could not move forward with the project without congressional approval. Construction of the arch would “destroy this unobstructed view and the symbolic connection” between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House that holds “deep meaning to them, thereby degrading plaintiffs’ future visits,” the filing states. The plaintiffs first sued the Trump administration over the project in February.
On Tuesday, Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to file a lawsuit on behalf of Congress to block the administration from moving forward with the arch. While speaking with reporters in April, Trump was asked about the February lawsuit and concerns that the arch would obstruct the view between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. It’s in honor of the veterans.” In a February interview with NBC News, Trump said the arch is part of a broader effort to bring “glamour,” “prestige” and “beauty” back to the country, noting that other major cities have arches while Washington does not.
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