Veterans Challenge Trump Arch Project Near Arlington Cemetery
Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen, both retired from long careers in the military and State Department, challenge the current administration’s proposal in court. Their legal action seeks to halt the construction of a 250-foot arch planned for a traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
The plaintiffs argue that the project’s rapid approval and lack of proper congressional authorization are problematic. They believe that the arch could compromise the symbolic connection between the Lincoln Memorial and the Robert E. Lee Memorial, intended to represent post-Civil War unity. Currently, plans show the arch’s height at more than twice that of the Lincoln Memorial.
“I think what we’re doing is being loyal to the country. And loyalty can be measured in different ways,” said Gundersen, a retired Army Special Forces officer, during an interview with CBS News.
Byrnes, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, joined the lawsuit out of respect for fallen soldiers. He emphasized his sense of duty toward colleagues who did not return from service.
The Justice Department has argued for the lawsuit’s dismissal, questioning the plaintiffs’ standing. Although Congress has not formally voted on the project, administration officials refer to a 100-year-old plan that includes “two stately columns,” symbolizing North and South unity.
Last month, a federal judge refused to temporarily stop the construction, which has not begun. Gundersen and Byrnes see the arch as a monument to President Trump rather than a national commemoration.
In a key development, the U.S. Commission for Fine Arts recently approved the project, despite significant public opposition. Thomas Luebke, the commission’s secretary, noted that all public comments opposed the project, according to The Associated Press.
Gundersen and Byrnes, having spent time in post-Soviet Eastern Bloc countries, express concern that the “Arc de Trump” resembles authoritarian monuments they have seen abroad. Gundersen questioned the reliance on private funding for the monument, suggesting it involves wealthy donations for political favors.
“We have fought for our country. We believe in this country, and we’re going to continue to the end, and I think we can change things,” Gundersen stated.