For a group of Vietnam vets, opposing Trump's arch is about being "loyal to the country"

Key Points:

• Retired military officers Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen, along with others, have sued to stop the construction of a 250-foot arch planned between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, arguing it lacks proper congressional approval and disrupts a symbolic Civil War sightline.
• The arch, dubbed the "Arc de Trump," is viewed by the plaintiffs as a monument to President Trump rather than a commemoration of America's 250th birthday, with Trump himself stating the arch is "for me."
• The Justice Department seeks dismissal of the lawsuit, claiming lack of standing, while administration officials cite a century-old plan as congressional authorization; a federal judge recently denied a temporary halt to construction.
• Despite overwhelming public opposition, the U.S. Commission for Fine Arts approved the project, with a final sign-off expected from an urban planning commission aligned with the president.
• Byrnes and Gundersen, veterans with experience in authoritarian regimes, warn the arch symbolizes autocratic leadership and question the appropriateness of private funding for such monuments, emphasizing their commitment to uphold democratic principles.