Veterans, lawmakers protest Trump’s triumphal arch in Memorial Circle

President Donald Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch has been a source of controversy and lawsuits since he announced his desire to build it on Memorial Circle.

Now the arch is the source of another protest — one that caused some delays for travelers Thursday morning.

Members of Congress, veterans and historic preservationists are among the people calling on the Trump administration to abandon plans to build the 250 foot arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Critics say the arch is too big, and it would interfere with other historic landmarks in the area — including the cemetery.

They also say it’s illegal to build the arch without congressional approval.

“I think it is an obscenity,” said Bob Johnson, a protester and Army veteran. “Arlington Cemetery is sacred ground where people paid the ultimate price. To have a tribute to a draft-dodging felon that obscures the sight of the Lincoln Memorial across Memorial Bridge is an obscenity.”

Still, it appears plans to break ground are already moving forward. News4 cameras spotted what appear to be markers at the proposed location of the arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

Virginia Congressman Don Beyer says construction equipment has been seen in the area as well.

Beyer is leading the congressional efforts to block the 250-foot structure, and he appeared at the protest that began at 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

“First of all, it’s a sacrilege with the cemetery. 430,000 American men and women … are buried here, including my parents and my grandparents,” Beyer told News4 during the protest. “But then there are all kinds of just practical obstacles, like the fact that planes are flying over it many, many times per day. The fact that there are going to be drones and snipers up there. This, already — you can see, the traffic here is insane in the morning and the afternoon.”

The protest during the morning rush hour cause some delays for commuters. But some drivers seemed to support the protesters’ efforts, honking in response to the signs waved at passing cars.

Trump wants the arch as more than just a new monument in the Capital, recently stating that the structure will double as a “top grade military complex” able to host drones and snipers while storing ammunition.

It’s not the only example of Trump insisting his initiatives to beautify the White House and Washington, D.C. are also serving a defense purpose: The president has been calling the new White House ballroom on the site of the former East Wing a “military complex,” arguing it is necessary for national security purposes.

The Pentagon told the Associated Press that it had no information about the security purposes of the arch beyond Trump’s statement.