Veterans Oppose Trump’s Proposed Triumphal Arch Near Arlington Cemetery

Shaun Byrnes, an 83-year-old Vietnam veteran, is part of a lawsuit aiming to block the construction of President Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery. Represented by Public Citizen, Byrnes and other veterans argue that the 250-foot structure would disrupt the cemetery’s solemn environment and complicate traffic. Critics label the arch a ‘vanity project’ and argue the project requires Congressional authorization, which Trump claims is unnecessary.

The cemetery is a sacred site, holding over 400,000 graves of military personnel and their families. Byrnes, alongside two fellow veterans and architectural historian Calder Loth, filed the lawsuit in February. They challenge the project’s legality under statutes requiring legislative approval for new memorials on federal land. The Trump administration contends that Congress approved a project for this site in 1925, though construction of the specified columns was never completed.

Approval of the arch has moved forward despite public opposition and unresolved questions about its design details. The National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission for Fine Arts, with Trump appointees, have preliminarily approved the project. Critics emphasize the lack of Congress’s or public’s endorsement, voicing concerns that the arch’s construction timeline could permanently alter the historically significant area.

Public commentary has been robust, with nearly 1,700 comments submitted before a National Capital Planning Commission meeting. Many veterans and family members of those interred at Arlington voiced their anger, viewing the arch’s purpose as celebrating Trump himself rather than honoring military sacrifice. Architect Nicolas Charbonneau stated that the arch is ‘dedicated to the living,’ not the deceased.

Veterans have criticized the misallocation of funds, urging Trump to prioritize veterans’ needs through agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs. Major veterans’ organizations have not officially commented on the issue. However, the Department of the Interior argues the arch will enrich the visitor experience at the cemetery, symbolizing American sacrifices over 250 years.