{"id":2571809,"date":"2026-02-20T08:33:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T13:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vietnam-veterans-sue-to-stop-construction-of-trumps-arch\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T08:35:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T13:35:44","slug":"vietnam-veterans-sue-to-stop-construction-of-trumps-arch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vietnam-veterans-sue-to-stop-construction-of-trumps-arch\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnam veterans sue to stop construction of Trump&#8217;s arch"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fvietnam-veterans-sue-to-stop-construction-of-trumps-arch%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2571809&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A group of Vietnam War veterans and a historian filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District court for the District of Columbia to block President Donald Trump\u2019s plan to build the \u201cIndependence arch\u201d in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Location and goal: The proposed arch would be erected on Memorial circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The plaintiffs argue it would disrupt a long-standing axis and view between the two memorials.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Legal basis: They contend the project <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inside-the-house-gop-plan-to-stop-a-second-iran-nuclear-deal\/\" title=\"Inside The House GOP Plan to Stop a Second Iran Nuclear Deal\">requires congressional approval<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/grassley-grills-biden-nominee-over-push-to-lift-sanctions-on-group-tied-to-terror\/\" title=\"Grassley Grills Biden Nominee Over Push to Lift Sanctions on ... Tied to Terror\">formal review<\/a> under the Commemorative Works Act, and that such steps are being bypassed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Past and aesthetic concerns: They claim the arch would erode the city\u2019s monument landscape and dishonor veterans, perhaps blocking reciprocal views that symbolize national unity after the Civil War.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Safety concerns: The plaintiffs also assert the arch could pose a hazard to air travel for nearby Reagan National Airport and that proper FAA notification has not been submitted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Project details: The arch could reach up to about 250 feet in height, far taller than the Lincoln Memorial, and is tied to Trump\u2019s plan to mark the nationS 250th birthday.Trump had said he hoped to begin construction within about two months.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Plaintiffs: Michael Lemmon, Shaun byrnes, Jon Gundersen, and Virginia historian Calder Loth.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Vietnam veterans sue to stop construction of Trump&rsquo;s &lsquo;Independence Arch&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2502037\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A group of veterans on Thursday sued to halt President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump&rsquo;<\/a>s plan to build a new monument in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>, alleging the proposal first requires congressional approval.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Three Vietnam War veterans and a historian filed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.dcd.289572\/gov.uscourts.dcd.289572.1.0.pdf\">the lawsuit<\/a> in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. They are seeking to block Trump from building the towering &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3852861\/trump-unveils-plans-independence-arch-dinner-donors-white-house-ballroom\/\">Independence Arch<\/a>&rdquo; between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, challenging his plan to build a monument without direct legislative approval, and alleging it erodes the historical integrity of the city&rsquo;s existing monument landscape.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4464661\/new-mexico-investigation-epstein-zorro-ranch\/\">New Mexico attorney general reopens investigation into Epstein&#8217;s secluded Zorro Ranch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4464500\/doj-says-judge-wrong-mark-zaid-clearance-restored\/\">Judge overstepped by ordering Mark Zaid&rsquo;s security clearance restored: DOJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4463554\/8th-circuit-could-trump-win-mandatory-immigration-detention\/\">Eighth Circuit may give Trump another win on mandatory immigration detention<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The planned Arch, by obstructing the symbolic and inspiring view from Arlington National Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial, would dishonor their military and foreign service and the legacy of their comrades and other veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery,&rdquo; read the lawsuit, brought by veterans Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes, and Jon Gundersen, along with retired Virginia historian Calder Loth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Its location on Memorial Circle would situate the monument on an axis between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, obstructing a line of sight that was designed to represent the unification of the Nation following the Civil War and that has existed for nearly a century,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-state-department-aide-federico-klein-convicted-in-jan-6-case\/\" title=\"Federico Klein, Trump State Department aide, found guilty in Jan. 6 case.\">court documents continue<\/a>. &ldquo;It will <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >block historically significant reciprocal views<\/a> between those two memorials that were consciously designed and that have existed for nearly a century. It will dominate the views of and the relationship between the surrounding memorials.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The plaintiffs cite the Commemorative Works Act and other related statutes, arguing that the project requires congressional approval and an extensive review process.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from aesthetic and historical concerns, the plaintiffs alleged the arch could pose a hazard to air travel at nearby Reagan National Airport. Such an issue would require a project notice to the Federal Aviation Administration, but officials have not submitted such notice to the FAA&rsquo;s Obstruction Evaluation\/Airport Airspace Analysis site, they alleged.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4413856\/america-250-great-american-state-fair-ufc-fight-dc\/\"><strong>MERICA 250 TO INCLUDE &lsquo;GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR&rsquo; AND UFC FIGHT AT HISTORIC DC VENUES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The arch is part of Trump&rsquo;s vision to mark the United States&rsquo;s 250th birthday this year. It could reportedly be up to 250 feet tall, far eclipsing the Lincoln Memorial&rsquo;s roughly 100-foot structure, for comparison. The president said last December that he hoped to begin construction of the arch within two months.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like it to be the biggest one of all,&rdquo; Trump told reporters on Air Force One in late January. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re the biggest, most powerful nation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vets sue to block Trump&#8217;s Independence Arch<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2571810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25288863854309.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[60845,4585,74198,56056],"class_list":["post-2571809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-construction-halt","tag-lawsuit","tag-trump-arch","tag-vietnam-veterans"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25288863854309.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2571809"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571813,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571809\/revisions\/2571813"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2571810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2571809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2571809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2571809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}