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PoliticsVeterans groups sue to block Trump's planned 250-ft arch blocking Arlington Cemetery view
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Advocacy groups including VoteVets, Home of the Brave, and the Cultural Landscape Foundation are intensifying efforts to halt President Donald Trump's planned construction of a 250-foot-tall arch at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The proposed structure, dubbed the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck, would obstruct the sightline from the Lincoln Memorial to the cemetery, which critics call 'sacrilege' to the 400,000 service members buried there. A new video released by the groups features Karen Meredith, a Gold Star mother, expressing outrage over a planned observation deck overlooking funerals. The National Park Service documents indicate construction would take two to three years at 20 hours per day, potentially conflicting with weekday burials. The project faces a federal court challenge from veterans and a historic preservationist, who argue it lacks legal basis and requires congressional approval. The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to meet October 1 to review final approval after granting preliminary approval in July.
Source report
A coalition of advocacy groups has joined forces to intensify opposition to President Donald Trump’s planned construction of a monumental arch, which critics say would block the view of Arlington National Cemetery from the Lincoln Memorial.
The coalition includes VoteVets, a Democratic veterans organization; Home of the Brave, a political advocacy group; and The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a nonprofit focused on preserving landscape heritage. The groups are mobilizing as the anticipated start of construction approaches.
Construction Plans Announced
Last week, it was announced on social media that construction would soon begin on the arch. The structure, dubbed the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck, would stand 250 feet tall and be located at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, situated between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Opposition and Criticism
On Tuesday, the groups released a new video arguing that breaking the sightline from the Lincoln Memorial to the cemetery is “entirely inappropriate and borders on sacrilege” to the 400,000 service members buried there.
“This proposal by this administration doesn’t bear well with me,” said Karen Meredith, a Gold Star mother whose son, 1st Lt. Ken Ballard, died in the Iraq War and is buried at Arlington. “There will be an observation deck. We don’t need tourists overlooking funerals. I’m just appalled.”
Charles Birnbaum, President and CEO of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, said in the video that placing such a large arch in that location would alter the hallowed ground and the emotional experience of visiting the cemetery.
Construction Timeline and Burial Concerns
The National Park Service has released documents indicating that construction would take two to three years, operating 20 hours per day. The video argues that this schedule could conflict with burials at the cemetery, which occur every weekday.
Legal Challenge
The project is currently being challenged in federal court by veterans and a historic preservationist. The U.S. District Court filing asserts that there is no legal basis for the arch and that it requires congressional approval. The Trump administration, however, claims that a 1925 law related to the construction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge authorizes the project.
Upcoming Review
The National Capital Planning Commission is expected to meet on October 1 to review the arch’s plans and consider final approval. The commission granted preliminary approval in early July.
About the Author
Cristina Stassis is a reporter covering the defense industry, national security, and military and veteran affairs. She previously worked as an editorial fellow for Defense News in 2024, assisting the newsroom with breaking news across Sightline Media Group.
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Veterans groups intensify fight against Trump's 250-foot arch blocking Arlington Cemetery view