WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the Vietnam veterans suing to block President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch is rejecting Trump’s new claim that the monument would honor U.S. military veterans.
Michael Lemmon, who served as an Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam, told CNN that veterans challenging the project “continue to be gaslighted” by the administration. Trump said during a Veterans Day event at Arlington National Cemetery that the arch would be dedicated to “our great veterans and our great militaries.”
Lemmon, along with veterans Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen and architectural historian Calder Loth, sued earlier this year to stop the project. They argue the administration lacks required congressional authorization and that the arch would disrupt the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Their lawsuit is part of a broader legal fight. Washington, D.C., Virginia and Arlington County have also challenged the project, citing environmental, historic-preservation, traffic and legal concerns. A federal judge has temporarily halted construction while those cases proceed.
The National Capital Planning Commission approved the arch 8-4 last week after hours of public testimony. The administration says the monument would commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and argues it has authority to proceed.
Lemmon disputes that framing, calling the arch disrespectful to veterans and saying Trump’s latest explanation does not change his opposition.
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