Veterans Sue to Block Construction of Triumphal Arch Near Arlington Cemetery

Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen, both retirees, have served multiple presidents during their careers in the military and State Department. They are now challenging the president in court. In February, alongside another Vietnam veteran and a historian, they filed a lawsuit to halt the construction of a 250-foot arch planned for a site between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

The plaintiffs argue that the project was rushed and lacked proper congressional approval. They believe the arch will disrupt the symbolic connection between the Lincoln Memorial and the Robert E. Lee Memorial, a sightline intended to convey post-Civil War unity. Renderings show the proposed arch would be more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial.

Gundersen and Byrnes insist their lawsuit isn’t political. Gundersen, a retired Army Special Forces officer, emphasized, “We’re being loyal to the country. Loyalty can be measured in different ways.” Byrnes, motivated by respect for the soldiers interred at Arlington, said, “It’s about my duty to my colleagues and friends who didn’t return. This project disrespects those who served.” Byrnes, who served two Vietnam tours, added he might reconsider being buried at Arlington if the arch proceeds.

The Justice Department seeks to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the group lacks standing. While Congress hasn’t formally voted on the project, officials claim authorization derives from a century-old plan for two 166-foot columns symbolizing the North and South. A federal judge recently refused to temporarily stop construction, which has yet to start.

Gundersen, 81, and Byrnes, 83, see the project not as a tribute to America’s 250th birthday, but as a monument to Mr. Trump. The former president promoted a model of the development resembling the Parisian Arc de Triomphe, claiming, “It’s going to be fantastic.” When asked who the arch was for, Mr. Trump pointed to himself, saying, “Me.”

The U.S. Commission for Fine Arts approved the arch last week, despite significant public objection. During the Commission’s meeting, the secretary noted that all public comments opposed the project. An urban planning commission, aligned with the president, may approve it in early June.

Gundersen and Byrnes, who contributed to U.S. diplomatic efforts in post-Soviet countries, liken the “Arc de Trump” to monuments in authoritarian states. Gundersen remarked, “We know how dictatorships operate: without rule of law or public consent, and leaders build monuments for themselves.” He dismissed Trump’s claim that private donations would fund the arch, questioning if monuments should be built by “oligarchs giving money for favors.”

Both veterans remain committed to their cause. “We have fought for our country. We believe in this country. We’ll continue to fight and believe we can make a change,” Gundersen asserted.