Veterans Sue to Block Trump's 250-Foot Arch Plan

Lawsuit says project lacks approvals, would disrupt historic sight lines

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Three Vietnam War veterans who became US diplomats, along with a historic preservationist, have sued the Trump administration to block a proposed 250-foot "triumphal arch" from being built in the capital just west of the Potomac. The lawsuit argues the project would intrude on views from Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia toward the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and disrupt the historic layout of the capital's core memorials.

Why it matters

The proposed arch is part of President Trump's plan for the US semiquincentennial celebration, but critics say it would damage the symbolic connection and sight lines between key national monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by the watchdog group Public Citizen in DC federal court, states the administration is moving forward with the arch project without approval from Congress or required federal review panels. The plaintiffs argue the arch would break carefully designed sight lines along Memorial Avenue, alter the symbolic connection of the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington House, and Arlington Memorial Bridge, and "dishonor" the meaning of Arlington National Cemetery for visitors and future interments.

  • The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • Trump said at the end of December that construction would begin in two months.

The players

Public Citizen

A watchdog group that filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration's proposed 250-foot arch project.

Arlington National Cemetery

A historic military cemetery in Virginia whose sight lines and symbolic connection to other D.C. monuments would be disrupted by the proposed arch, according to the lawsuit.

Lincoln Memorial

A national monument in Washington, D.C. whose symbolic connection to Arlington House and Arlington Memorial Bridge would be altered by the proposed arch, according to the lawsuit.

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What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the construction of the 250-foot arch to proceed.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between preserving the historic character and sight lines of Washington, D.C.'s national monuments and memorials, and the Trump administration's desire to make a bold architectural statement for the US semiquincentennial celebration.