Vietnam Veterans sue to block proposed 'Independence Arch' near Arlington National Cemetery

"The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges President Trump's plans for "Independence Arch," a 250-foot structure proposed for Memorial Circle. The plaintiffs, represented by Public Citizen Litigation Group, call the proposed plan a "vanity project" that would disrupt one of Washington's most symbolically charged sightlines between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, a view designed to evoke national unity after the Civil War."

"Vietnam veterans Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen believe the structure would "dishonor their military and foreign service" by intruding on a solemn view they visit regularly, according to the complaint. The arch could also "pose a hazard to air travel at nearby Reagan National Airport," the plaintiffs argue. At 250 feet, the proposed arch would stand more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial and sit directly on the ceremonial axis that anchors the capital's monumental core."

"The lawsuit names Trump, senior White House officials and the National Park Service (NPS) as defendants. It alleges the plan violates multiple federal laws, including the Commemorative Works Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. NPR reached out to the White House and NPS for comment about the lawsuit but have not received a response."

A group of Vietnam War veterans and a retired architectural historian filed a federal lawsuit to block construction of a proposed 250-foot Independence Arch at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery. The plaintiffs argue the arch would intrude on the symbolic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House and would dishonor military and foreign service. The complaint alleges the structure could pose hazards to air travel at nearby Reagan National Airport. The suit names the president, senior White House officials, and the National Park Service and claims violations of the Commemorative Works Act, NEPA, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

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