Let's talk about Vietnam Vets suing Trump over his vanity arch project.... - Belle of the Ranch [View all]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Vietnam vets suing Trump over a vanity arc project.

One of Trump's many bizarre desires is to build a TEMU version of the Arc de Triomphe in DC. He calls it the Independence Arc and it will be 250 ft high which is about half the height of the Washington Monument and of course topped with a statue in gold. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said the arc “will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250ear history.”

Vietnam veterans Michael Lemon, Shawn Bernest, and John Gunderson have filed suit to block the project. In their complaint, they say, "The ark is planned to be erected directly on the access between Arlington House and the Lincoln Memorial. It will block historically significant reciprocal views between those two memorials that were consciously designed and that have existed for nearly a century.”

It goes on to state the plaintiff's “believe that the planned arc by obstructing the symbolic and inspiring view from Arlington National Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial would dishonor their military and foreign service and the legacy of their comrades and other veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery.”

If you aren't familiar with the layout and the history, the Lincoln Monument Association was formed in 1867 to build a memorial, even though construction didn't actually begin until 1914. The Lincoln Memorial offers an intentionally designed view of Arlington National Cemetery and the Arlington House across the Potomac River. Arlington was land owned by Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee. Yes, Robert E. Lee's wife. The view between that property and the Lincoln Memorial was set up to symbolize national unity after the war. Trump's project would disrupt the iconic view.

One of the plaintiffs, Michael Lemon, said, "The president's planned arc will be a continuous visual affront to this principle and a personal affront to people like me who have fought for this nation and devoted their careers to serving it."

The suit is saying Trump moving ahead violates the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, which lays out a multi-step process to establish a monument. The first step would be obtaining approval from Congress. Trump doesn't have it, and there hasn't been any sign that he ever sought it. There's also questions about whether or not it will become a flight hazard to the airport. So, the suit, which was filed in federal court, is really just attempting to stop the project from moving forward until it's approved by Congress and makes it through the normal multi-step process because we all saw what happened to the East Wing.

At time of recording, Trump hasn't commented publicly on the issue, but given how happy he looked playing with the model, he's not going to be pleased.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.