A group of Vietnam veterans and an architectural historian filed a federal lawsuit Thursday to block President Trump’s plan to build a 250-foot Independence Arch in Washington.
The proposed site for the monument would be at Memorial Circle, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The arch is intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
According to multiple news reports, plaintiffs say the structure would obstruct historically significant sight lines meant to symbolize post–Civil War unity and could raise aviation safety concerns due to its proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The lawsuit claims the Trump administration has failed to obtain required congressional authorization, which is mandated under the “Commemorative Works Act,” or environmental and historic reviews before starting the project.
The plaintiffs include retired diplomats and veterans — Michael C. Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes, Jon Gundersen and Calder Loth — who have adamantly spoken out against the construction, referred to as “Arc de Trump.”
“Since 1966, I have proudly served 14 U.S. Presidents (7 Republican and 7 Democrats). I have often visited the Arlington National Cemetery, with its inspiring view of the Lincoln and Washington monuments, which honors those who paid the ultimate price for their country, including some of my comrades from the Vietnam War. This sacred site and this historic view should not be desecrated by the planned Arch,” Mr. Gunderson, a veteran and former chargé d’affaires, said in a statement from the nonprofit Public Citizen Litigation Group representing these individual plaintiffs.
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and seeks a court order unless all legal prerequisites are met.
Mr. Trump, the National Park Service and White House officials are listed as defendants.
• Juliet La Sala can be reached at jlasala@washingtontimes.com.
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