Veterans and families oppose Trump's planned 250-foot arch near Arlington Cemetery
Veterans groups and families of fallen soldiers say Trump's proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle threatens burial ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
VoteVets and Home of the Brave joined forces this week to challenge President Donald Trump’s plan for a 250-foot Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle, a traffic roundabout between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The groups warned in a video that the structure, which will feature an observation deck overlooking the city and the cemetery, could involve up to 20 hours of construction daily for two to three years, potentially interrupting daily burial services.
Retired major general Paul Eaton, an adviser to VoteVets, and Gold Star mother Karen Meredith, whose son rests at Arlington, expressed strong opposition, emphasizing the cemetery’s role as a solemn resting place for over 400,000 service members. The National Capital Planning Commission has yet to issue its final decision, while Democratic officials contend that congressional approval is needed. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that construction could begin within two weeks, describing the arch as a “great piece of American architecture” honoring Arlington’s history. The Trump administration cites a 1924 report and a recent Supreme Court decision to argue that further approvals are unnecessary.
