Veterans Sue To Block Trump's 250-Foot D.C. Arch
Three Vietnam War veterans and a historian sued to halt a proposed 250-foot 'Independence Arch' near Arlington National Cemetery, saying it would obstruct historic views and lacks congressional approval.
Overview
Three Vietnam War veterans and a retired historian sued in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to halt construction of a proposed 250-foot Independence Arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
They say the arch would obstruct reciprocal views between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial and would dishonor veterans and degrade visitors' experiences, according to the lawsuit.
The suit was filed by Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen with retired historian Calder Loth and was brought by Public Citizen, alleging officials did not obtain required congressional approval or agency reviews.
Plaintiffs say the arch could be up to 250 feet tall, far eclipsing the Lincoln Memorial's roughly 100-foot height, and they allege project notice was not filed with the FAA's Obstruction Evaluation site.
The plaintiffs seek a court order prohibiting construction and cite the Commemorative Works Act, and the arch project is part of Trump's plan for the United States' 250th birthday.
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FAQ
The plaintiffs are Vietnam War veterans Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes, and Jon Gundersen, along with retired historian Calder Loth, represented by Public Citizen.
The 250-foot Independence Arch is planned for Memorial Circle, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial and near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, within Lady Bird Johnson Park.
The plaintiffs argue that the arch would obstruct the historic reciprocal views between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, dishonor veterans, degrade visitor experiences, and lacks required congressional approval, environmental reviews, and FAA evaluation.
The arch is part of former President Trump's plan for the United States' 250th birthday celebrations in 2026, intended to honor veterans and enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery.
The lawsuit cites the Commemorative Works Act, alleging no congressional authorization for construction in Area I, lack of required environmental and historic reviews, and no FAA obstruction notice.
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