Vietnam War Veterans Sue to Block Trump's Proposed Triumphal Arch

Lawsuit claims construction of 250-foot monument would violate federal law and obstruct historic sightlines

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block the construction of a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C.'s Memorial Circle. The plaintiffs argue the project, dubbed the "Independence Arch" by the White House, lacks congressional approval and would unlawfully obstruct views of the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's desire for grand public monuments and concerns from veterans and preservationists about respecting the integrity of existing historic sites and memorials in the nation's capital.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by the government watchdog group Public Citizen on behalf of the veterans and historian, claims the proposed arch would violate the Commemorative Works Act of 1986 by disrupting the "comprehensive design" of Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs argue the arch would obstruct the symbolic link between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, and that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally approve such a large-scale monument without Congressional approval.

  • The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • President Trump first discussed the triumphal arch project in October of an unspecified year.

The players

Michael Lemmon

A Vietnam War veteran who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Shaun Byrnes

A Vietnam War veteran who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Jon Gundersen

A Vietnam War veteran who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Calder Loth

An architectural historian who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Donald Trump

The former president who proposed the construction of the triumphal arch.

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What they’re saying

“That sightline was carefully designed to symbolize the unification of the country after the Civil War and the strength of a united nation. But with the erection of this Trump vanity project, Arlington House will no longer be visible from the Lincoln Memorial, and the view of the Lincoln Memorial from Arlington House will be obscured, disrupting the historic and symbolic link between the two.”

— Public Citizen, Government watchdog group (The Hill)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant an injunction to block construction of the triumphal arch while the lawsuit proceeds.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's desire for grand public monuments and concerns from veterans and preservationists about respecting the integrity of existing historic sites and memorials in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for the limits of presidential power to unilaterally approve major construction projects in the nation's capital.