Retired general decries Trump administration's planned Arlington arch as inappropriate
A retired Army major general said a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery would disrespect the historic site, while veterans seek a court order to halt construction.
The Trump administration plans to begin work within two weeks on a 250-foot triumphal arch to be placed just beyond the gates of Arlington National Cemetery, a location that critics say would disrupt historic sightlines meant to symbolize national reconciliation after the Civil War. Three Vietnam veterans have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the project while the case proceeds.
Retired Army Major General Paul Eaton, who commanded training of Iraqi forces during the Iraq War and now advises the veterans group VoteVets, said the structure would "fracture what has been sacred ground for so long" and called it a "sacrilege." He added that the arch would cast a large shadow over graves at Arlington.
Eaton also criticized the administration’s approach, noting that the White House indicated work would start on tasks that do not require further approvals, while other permits remain pending. He compared the proposed arch to previous construction projects undertaken without full clearance, suggesting that the pace of construction could outstrip legal oversight.
The White House responded that work not requiring approval would proceed and that the administration continues to seek final clearance from all relevant agencies.
Veterans and preservation advocates are urging the courts to intervene, arguing that the proposed monument would alter the character of the memorial landscape and set a precedent for future large-scale constructions near historic sites.