Vietnam Veteran Leading Opposition Calls Trump’s Potomac Arch ‘Blasphemous’
Panel prepares final vote
The National Capital Planning Commission was expected to decide whether to approve the arch after hearing from about 130 speakers. The meeting was held online and could continue into the evening.
The commission is led by Trump appointees. The administration has indicated construction could begin once the panel grants final approval.
Veteran challenges project
Lemmon and fellow veterans filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the project. Washington, D.C., and Virginia recently joined the case, which alleges the administration failed to obtain specific congressional authorization.
Lemmon described the arch as “frankly blasphemous,” according to the article. The proposed structure would stand on Columbia Island, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
Debate over island history
Public testimony opened with an exchange between Rep. Jared Huffman of California, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, and commission Chair Mark Paoletta. Paoletta argued that Congress authorized the project more than 100 years ago when it approved the initial plan for Memorial Bridge, which connects Washington, D.C., with the cemetery. Huffman replied, “You’re going to lose,” referring to a possible argument in federal court.
Security claims and court order
The judge overseeing the lawsuit ordered the administration to provide at least 30 minutes’ notice before construction work begins. Administration lawyers said a contractor lacked National Park Service authorization for line painting and said NPS officials might periodically visit to prevent unauthorized activity.
Key points
- The commission was expected to vote on final approval after hearing public testimony.
- Lemmon and fellow veterans argue the project requires specific congressional authorization.
- The lawsuit was recently joined by Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
- A judge ordered 30 minutes’ notice before any work begins.