Vietnam Veterans Sue to Block Trump's 'Triumphal Arch' — Seek Emergency Court Order Ahead of Groundbreaking

A group of Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian have filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to block the Trump administration from beginning work on a massive 250-foot "triumphal arch" near Arlington National Cemetery. The move comes just one day after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that excavation would begin within the next two weeks.

WASHINGTON – The image circulating online is accurate: Vietnam veterans are indeed suing President Trump's administration over plans to construct a monumental arch in the Washington, D.C. area, and they are seeking a court order to halt the project before any ground is broken .

On Friday, September 4, 2026, lawyers for veterans Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes, Jon Gundersen, and architectural historian Calder Loth filed their request for a restraining order with U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. The move came just one day after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on social media that excavation work for the project would begin "over the next two-week period" .

In their filing, the plaintiffs argue that the administration is unlawfully moving ahead without necessary congressional approval and is attempting to make the arch a "fait accompli" before the court can determine whether the project is legal .

What Trump Is Planning

The proposed "Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck" would stand 250 feet tall — more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial at 99 feet . It is planned for Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, located between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River .

With a design evoking Paris' Arc de Triomphe, the monument is part of President Trump's broader effort to leave his architectural mark on the nation's capital. Other projects include a new White House ballroom, renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and redevelopment of a golf course in East Potomac Park .

Last year, when asked who the arch was for, Trump reportedly replied: "me" .

Why the Veterans Are Suing

The plaintiffs argue that the arch would destroy the carefully designed historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, which sits atop the hill within Arlington National Cemetery .

The veterans — who served in Vietnam and later became diplomats — say their opposition is not partisan but rooted in respect for those who never came home .

"I think it's just disrespectful to those that I served with who didn't come back, and then, of course, to all those who are lying in Arlington National Cemetery," said Shaun Byrnes, 83, a Navy veteran who served two tours in Vietnam .

Jon Gundersen, 81, an Army veteran and former top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, Estonia, Iceland and Norway, added: "I think what we're doing is being loyal to the country. And loyalty can be measured in different ways" .

The lawsuit also argues that the project violates federal law because it lacks congressional authorization .

The Administration's Defense

The Trump administration has argued that a 1925 law authorizing the now-defunct Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission to build the nearby bridge also provides congressional approval for the arch — a legal interpretation the plaintiffs vigorously dispute .

After Burgum's announcement, the Justice Department clarified in a court filing that the planned excavation work is "not construction, or demolition in preparation for construction, of an arch" . Instead, the administration said it plans to dig four "test pits" to conduct a standard archaeological survey required under the National Historic Preservation Act, starting no sooner than September 21 and restoring the site by October 31 .

The administration also argues that the plaintiffs lack legal standing to sue, citing the Supreme Court's recent 5-4 ruling allowing construction of Trump's White House ballroom to continue despite a lower court finding it unlawful . Chief Justice John Roberts dissented in that case, calling the ballroom project "likely unlawful" .

The Judge's Response

Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the case, has already ordered the administration to provide 14 days' notice before beginning construction on the arch . In April, she sharply questioned Trump's authority to build the monument .

In her latest ruling on Friday, Chutkan reinforced her order, requiring the administration to provide 48 hours' notice before engaging in "any activity" at the site — with the exception of efforts to gather information on archaeological resources beneath the surface . She also reiterated that any construction or demolition before the National Park Service issues final authorization, or without 14 days' notice, would violate her order .

The project also has yet to receive final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which is considering whether to grant an exception to the 130-foot building height limit that applies to most of Washington .

What Happens Next

The court is expected to rule on the veterans' request for a temporary restraining order in the coming days. If granted, it would block the administration from beginning any excavation work at the site while the broader legal challenge proceeds.

The Bottom Line

The image captures a real and unfolding legal battle: Vietnam War veterans, joined by an architectural historian, are fighting to stop President Trump's ambitious 250-foot arch project near Arlington National Cemetery.

For the veterans who served in Vietnam and later dedicated their lives to diplomatic service, the fight is personal. As Gundersen put it: "We know how authoritarian dictatorships work. There's no rule of law, there's no consent of the governed, and there's monuments for the leaders there" .

For now, the arch remains unbuilt. But with the administration eager to break ground and the veterans determined to stop it, the battle is far from over.