Two Vietnam veterans, Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen, have sued to block a proposed 250‑foot arch planned between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, arguing it lacks proper congressional authorization and would disrupt a historic sightline. The suit, led by Public Citizen Litigation Group, contends the structure functions more as a personal monument than a national commemoration. The Justice Department seeks dismissal for lack of standing, while the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the plan despite broad public opposition. Construction has not yet begun and legal challenges are ongoing.
Vietnam Veterans Sue to Block Trump’s 250‑Foot 'Triumphal' Arch, Citing Duty to Country
Rendering of Trump triumphal arch that would sit between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery submitted by the Interior Dept. to the Commission on Fine Arts, April 16, 2026. / Credit: Department of the Interior
Washington — Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen, two Vietnam veterans who spent decades serving in uniform and at the State Department under multiple presidents, have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop construction of a proposed 250‑foot arch on the traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
What The Suit Alleges
In February, Gundersen (81) and Byrnes (83), joined by another Vietnam veteran and a historian, asked a court to block the project. The plaintiffs, represented by the Public Citizen Litigation Group, argue the plan was rushed, lacks proper congressional authorization and would sever a carefully designed sightline that links the Lincoln Memorial to the Robert E. Lee Memorial — a visual axis intended to symbolize reunification after the Civil War.
Recent renderings show the proposed arch rising to roughly 250 feet, more than double the height of the Lincoln Memorial in visual impact, while administration officials point to a century‑old plan that envisioned two 166‑foot “stately columns.” The Justice Department has moved to dismiss the case, arguing the plaintiffs lack legal standing.
Why The Veterans Oppose It
Gundersen and Byrnes emphasize their challenge is not partisan. Gundersen, a retired Army Special Forces officer, told CBS News:
"I think what we're doing is being loyal to the country. And loyalty can be measured in different ways."
Byrnes, a Navy veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, said he joined the suit out of respect for the fallen buried at Arlington:
"It's more about the duty I feel towards my colleagues and friends who did not come home... I think it's just disrespectful to those that I served with who didn't come back, and then, of course, to all those who are lying in Arlington National Cemetery."He added that he had planned to be interred at Arlington but would "reconsider" if the arch is built.
Project Momentum And Controversy
Last month, a federal judge denied a motion to temporarily halt construction, though work has not yet begun. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the arch despite what officials said were overwhelmingly negative public comments; at a recent CFA meeting, secretary Thomas Luebke said recorded public input was almost entirely opposed to the project. An allied urban planning commission could provide a key sign‑off in early June.
Critics say the design resembles Paris’s Arc de Triomphe and have seized on President Trump’s own remarks and actions. Mr. Trump displayed a model of the proposal in the Oval Office, calling it "going to be fantastic," and when asked who the arch was for, replied simply: "Me." Gundersen and Byrnes say the structure resembles monuments to authoritarian leaders they observed while serving in Moscow and other post‑Soviet capitals.
Gundersen also questioned private fundraising as a solution, asking whether monuments should be shaped by wealthy donors and potential influence:
"Even if you took private donations, is that how we want to build monuments? To the oligarchs who give money for favors?"
The case continues as plaintiffs and the government exchange briefs. For now, the debate highlights tensions over memorial design, civic symbolism and how national landmarks are authorized and sited.
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