Veterans and advocacy groups are growing more vocal in their opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch, which would be built near Arlington National Cemetery. The project, which could involve up to 20 hours of daily construction and take two to three years to complete, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the sacred military burial grounds. The arch would be located at Memorial Circle, a traffic roundabout situated between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. Critics argue that the construction would disrupt the solemnity of the site, which serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members and their families. Democratic-aligned groups such as VoteVets and Home of the Brave have joined forces to oppose the project. In a video released recently, the groups warned that the arch could introduce a tourist observation deck overlooking the cemetery and the city, potentially disturbing military funerals. VoteVets emphasized that "some ground isn't for building on," highlighting the significance of Arlington National Cemetery. Paul Eaton, a retired major general and VoteVets adviser, called the plans "entirely inappropriate and border on sacrilege," noting that a burial occurs every weekday and that construction would interfere with these services. The video also featured Karen Meredith, a Gold Star mother whose son died in the Iraq War and is buried at Arlington. She expressed concern that the arch would bring tourists into the area where funerals take place, saying, "For me, Arlington has been a nice, quiet place. We don’t need tourists overlooking funerals. I’m just appalled." The arch, designed to be 86 feet taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is part of Trump’s broader beautification efforts in Washington, D.C. Its design includes gold winged sculptures, similar to those used in the Oval Office and other Washington landmarks. Veterans have launched a lawsuit against the project, arguing that the arch would dominate the landscape and disrupt the hallowed space of the cemetery. The National Capital Planning Commission has not yet given its final approval, and Democrats argue that the administration needs congressional approval to proceed. However, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that work will begin in the next two weeks, stating that the arch will be "one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture, honoring the history and significance of Arlington Cemetery." The administration claims it does not need congressional approval, citing a 1924 report and a recent Supreme Court decision that allowed similar construction to move forward. Justice Department lawyers argued that the opposition's concerns about the arch's symbolism do not constitute a legal basis for stopping the project.