Veterans rally against Trump's 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery as approval nears

Dozens of veterans, retirees and lawmakers gathered at rush hour Thursday at Memorial Circle in Washington, D.C., to protest the 250-foot arch President Trump wants to build there, beside a tarp mockup they said was 32 times smaller than the real thing.

"It's the wrong monument, in the wrong place, at the wrong time, dedicated to the wrong man," said Jon Gundersen, a retired Army veteran and former Foreign Service officer who is among the Vietnam veterans suing the administration over the arch. Gundersen traveled from South Carolina for the event, organized in part by Public Citizen, which is leading the lawsuit. "Anyone I talk to, whether Republican or Democrat, they say it's a waste of money and it's not how you honor vets," he said.

Towering over Arlington

Speakers objected to the arch's scale, its cost, the lack of congressional approval, and its location overlooking Arlington National Cemetery. "Imagine tourists coming up to this arch looking at the 24 to 27 funerals up there in Arlington," Gundersen said.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., an Iraq War veteran who lost both legs in combat, delivered a blistering attack on the president, saying the project dishonors those buried at Arlington, where she said she and her husband will one day rest.

The White House has said the arch will "enhance the visitor experience" at the cemetery and serve "as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes." Critics counter that the money would be better spent on services for veterans.

Drones, snipers and flight paths

Planes passed overhead every few minutes, a reminder that the arch would sit along the approach to one of the nation's busiest airport runways. Several speakers raised aviation safety concerns, especially after Trump's recent announcement that the structure would house military drones and snipers.

"The real explanation is Trump thinks he's going to lose in court, and maybe if he shouts national security, the Supreme Court will care," said Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., whose district includes Arlington. The White House, Interior Department and FAA did not respond to NPR's questions about the military plans.

A review cut short

Despite the lawsuit, the original proposal is moving toward final approval and is expected before the National Capital Planning Commission in early November. In the last week of September, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation ended its review after only two meetings and said it would send recommendations directly to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum by Oct. 7.

Charles Birnbaum of The Cultural Landscape Foundation said he had seen that happen only twice in 15 years at the National Park Service. "They're going to force this upon the process and they're going to nullify outside voices," he said.

Julius "JD" Spain Sr., a member of the Arlington County Board, urged people to call their senators and representatives. Beyer said there is a "huge body of people ready to protest the moment they see a shovel."