Two retired American veterans who spent decades serving the United States government are now leading a legal battle against a controversial monument project backed by Donald Trump near Arlington National Cemetery.
Retired military and diplomatic officials Jon Gundersen and Shaun Byrnes have joined a lawsuit attempting to stop construction of a massive 250-foot triumphal arch planned near Arlington Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
The veterans argue the project disrespects both the cemetery and the historical symbolism of the surrounding area.
Veterans Challenge Massive Arlington Arch Project
The proposed monument would reportedly be built in an empty traffic circle located between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
According to project renderings, the arch would stand more than twice as tall as the Lincoln Memorial itself.
The design has drawn comparisons to the famous Arc de Triomphe in France.
Critics of the project argue the structure would interrupt the carefully designed visual connection between the Lincoln Memorial and the Robert E. Lee Memorial, which historically symbolises unity following the American Civil War.
Lawsuit Claims Project Was Rushed
The lawsuit, filed earlier this year with help from the Public Citizen Litigation Group, argues that the federal government has moved too quickly without proper congressional approval.
The plaintiffs claim no formal vote by the current Congress has authorised the project.
However, administration officials reportedly argue that approval traces back to a more than 100-year-old development plan calling for symbolic structures representing the North and South.
The United States Department of Justice has already moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the group lacks legal standing.
Veterans Say Monument Feels Authoritarian
Both Gundersen and Byrnes strongly criticised the proposed structure, saying it reminds them of monuments they encountered while working in authoritarian countries.
During their careers, both men reportedly served in Moscow and helped establish U.S. embassies in former Soviet-controlled Eastern European nations.
Gundersen argued the project reflects the kind of leader-focused monument building often seen in authoritarian governments.
He claimed the arch appears less like a patriotic memorial and more like a personal monument dedicated to Trump himself.
Trump Previously Joked Arch Was ‘For Me’
The controversy intensified after Donald Trump previously showed reporters a model of the proposed arch inside the Oval Office.
When asked who the monument was for, Trump reportedly responded by pointing to himself and saying, “Me.”
Supporters of the project argue it is intended to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, while critics increasingly refer to it online as the “Arc de Trump.”
Public Opposition Continues Growing
According to reports, the U.S. Commission for Fine Arts recently approved the project despite overwhelming public criticism.
At a recent commission meeting, officials reportedly acknowledged that all public comments submitted opposed the monument.
Another planning commission is expected to review the project in early June.
Veterans Say Fight Is About Respect
For Byrnes and Gundersen, the issue is deeply personal because of their military service and connection to Arlington National Cemetery.
Byrnes, a Vietnam veteran, said he originally hoped to be buried at Arlington but may reconsider if the monument is built.
Both men insist their opposition is not partisan but instead focused on protecting the dignity of Arlington and preserving democratic values.
