Washington — Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen have served multiple U.S. presidents in their military and State Department careers. Now retired, they find themselves opposing the current administration’s plans in court. These veterans, joined by another Vietnam veteran and a historian, filed a lawsuit in February aiming to halt the construction of a 250-foot arch. This structure is intended for an empty traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
They argue the project has been expedited without proper congressional approval. The arch would disrupt the symbolic view between the Lincoln Memorial and the Robert E. Lee Memorial, which represents unity after the Civil War. Proposed renderings show the arch would be more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial.
Gundersen and Byrnes emphasize their challenge to President Trump’s arch is not politically motivated. “I think what we’re doing is being loyal to the country. And loyalty can be measured in different ways,” Gundersen, a retired Army Special Forces officer, told CBS News. Byrnes, a Navy veteran with two Vietnam tours, joined the suit out of respect for his fallen comrades buried in Arlington, stating, “It’s disrespectful to those I served with who didn’t come back.” Byrnes also considered being buried in Arlington but may reconsider if the arch is built.
The Justice Department seeks to dismiss the lawsuit, citing a lack of standing. The administration claims Congress authorized the project over a century ago, referencing a plan for “two stately columns,” 166 feet tall, symbolizing the North and South. Despite no formal congressional vote, a federal judge recently denied a motion to temporarily stop the construction.
Gundersen, 81, and Byrnes, 83, perceive the arch not as a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States but as a monument to President Trump. Last year, Trump presented a model of this project, likening it to the Arc de Triomphe, and remarked that it would be “fantastic.” When asked who the arch was for, Trump replied, “Me.”
Recently, the U.S. Commission for Fine Arts approved the project, despite public opposition. At a meeting, the secretary, Thomas Luebke, stated that all public comments opposed the project, as reported by The Associated Press. An urban planning commission, comprising presidential allies, may approve the project by early June.
Both veterans, experienced in diplomatic assignments in post-Soviet countries, draw parallels between the “Arc de Trump” and authoritarian regimes. “We know how authoritarian dictatorships work,” said Gundersen. “There’s no rule of law, no consent of the governed, and monuments for the leaders there.” Gundersen is also skeptical of Trump’s suggestion to fund the arch privately, questioning if it reflects governance founded on donations from the wealthy for favors.
Gundersen concluded, “We have fought for our country. We believe in this country, and we’re going to continue to the end. We think we can change things.”