A group of Vietnam War veterans is suing the Trump administration over plans to build a massive arch in Washington, D.C.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court by three veterans and an architectural historian, represented by the non-profit Public Citizen.
They want to stop construction of the proposed 250-foot “Independence Arch” near the Arlington Memorial Bridge. The plaintiffs say it would block a historic line of sight between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
The sightline was designed to symbolize the nation’s unification after the Civil War. The proposed arch, more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial, would disrupt that view, the filing says.
The plaintiffs also argue the Trump administration has not followed proper legal steps. Congress has not approved the monument, making the project unlawful, they say.
Michael Lemmon, a Vietnam War veteran, said the arch would be a “visual affront” and a personal insult to veterans who served and are buried at Arlington.
Trump first revealed his arch plans last October, sharing designs online and at a White House fundraising dinner. The project has been dubbed by some as the “Arc de Trump.”
The court will now decide whether construction can proceed or if it must wait for full congressional approval.
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