Washington, D.C
Vietnam Veterans sue to block proposed ‘Independence Arch’ near Arlington National Cemetery
Memorial Circle, the proposed plot of land near Memorial Bridge where the Independence Arch could be built is seen in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.
Nathan Howard/AP
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Nathan Howard/AP
A group of Vietnam War veterans and a retired architectural historian have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block construction of a proposed monument near Arlington National Cemetery.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges President Trump’s plans for “Independence Arch,” a 250-foot structure proposed for Memorial Circle.
The plaintiffs, represented by Public Citizen Litigation Group, call the proposed plan a “vanity project” that would disrupt one of Washington’s most symbolically charged sightlines between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, a view designed to evoke national unity after the Civil War.

Vietnam veterans Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes and Jon Gundersen believe the structure would “dishonor their military and foreign service” by intruding on a solemn view they visit regularly, according to the complaint.
The arch could also “pose a hazard to air travel at nearby Reagan National Airport,” the plaintiffs argue. At 250 feet, the proposed arch would stand more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial and sit directly on the ceremonial axis that anchors the capital’s monumental core.
The lawsuit names Trump, senior White House officials and the National Park Service (NPS) as defendants. It alleges the plan violates multiple federal laws, including the Commemorative Works Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.
NPR reached out to the White House and NPS for comment about the lawsuit but have not received a response.
Administration officials have framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary with new monuments and public works projects highlighting American history and military service.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement to The Washington Post the arch “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 250-year history.”
Ingle also said Trump “will continue to honor our veterans and give the greatest Nation on earth America the glory it deserves.”
The plaintiffs also argue that approval has not been granted and that required environmental and historic preservation reviews have not been completed. Under the Commemorative Works Act, memorials built on federal land in Washington generally require authorization from Congress.
Legal opposition to the project follows a separate lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation over plans for a privately funded ballroom in place of the White House East Wing.
Washington, D.C
Greenberg Traurig Adds Former Commerce Official Joe Bartlett to Washington, D.C., Office
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP made another key hire in its Washington, D.C., office with the addition of Joe Bartlett, who served as Deputy Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Bartlett, who joins as a Senior Director, will be part of the firm’s Government Law & Policy, International Trade, National Security, and Defense, Aviation & Space practices.
Bartlett leverages more than a decade of experience through a wide-ranging career in Commerce, several U.S. House of Representatives offices and committees, and the private sector, giving him a comprehensive view of issues affecting the defense, international trade, technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, manufacturing, and emerging technology sectors from inside and outside the government. He’s established deep credibility with officials throughout the Administration and Congress, allowing Bartlett to counsel clients operating at the intersection of trade and national security by advising them on tariffs, export controls, trade policy, industrial and supply chain matters, and national security issues.
“As we continue to strategically expand our capabilities in Washington, D.C., across government policy, regulatory, litigation, lobbying, and transactional disciplines, we have been able to attract exceptional talent with deep experience at the highest levels of government and industry,” said Ernest LaMont Greer, Co-President of Greenberg Traurig and chairman of the Washington, D.C., office. “Joe’s unique background further strengthens our ability to help clients navigate increasingly complex challenges that combine business, policy, and national security concerns. His addition reflects both the strength of our Washington platform and our continued commitment to investing in the people and capabilities that matter most to our clients.”
Barlett’s arrival comes amid a string of high-profile additions to Greenberg Traurig’s Washington, D.C., office, including former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Assistant Administrator Christopher J. Senn, who joined the firm’s Government Law & Policy Practice in June. Two months earlier, the firm added a six-member team that further bolstered the firm’s lobbying capabilities, including Shareholder Christopher DeLacy, co-chair of the Federal Government Law & Policy Practice, Shareholder Daniel Sennott, co-chair of the National Security Group, Shareholder Joel E. Roberson and Senior Director Matthew P. Satterley in the Government Law & Policy Practice, and Senior Director Misha Lehrer and Assistant Director James K. Hickey in the National Security Group. In January, the office also expanded its National Security Group with Shareholder E. Patrick Gilman, who co-chairs the group, Shareholder Neal Higgins, and Of Counsel Joshua W. Johnson.
“By combining the capabilities of our lawyers in different practices and taking advantage of Greenberg Traurig’s strategy of firmwide collaboration, we have created an all-in-one D.C. platform to guide our clients through the often-opaque world of government regulation and international trade,” DeLacy and Sennott said in a joint statement. “Given his experience in key positions in Congress, the Administration, and the private sector, Joe is a marquee addition to our growing group who will serve as a guide for our clients, and our colleagues, across a wide range of issues. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”
Bartlett held progressively senior roles on the House Armed Services Committee and in member offices, focused on defense, intelligence, foreign affairs, and trade policy. He then worked for a leading American autonomous drone manufacturer, giving him firsthand understanding of how technology companies navigate federal policy and government procurement frameworks. Bartlett earned a master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
In 2025, he joined the administration as Director of Legislative Affairs for BIS, giving him insight into how export control policy is shaped through the interplay of executive action and congressional oversight. He was then promoted to Deputy Under Secretary of the Bureau, where he oversaw policy and operations related to U.S. export control regulations, trade in dual-use technologies, and various industrial base policies.
Bartlett said his experience has shown him how the government handles strategic trade issues related to everything from steel and critical minerals to semiconductors and other critical technologies. He decided to join Greenberg Traurig because the firm has the resources and expertise to handle that full range of matters and the global reach to follow his clients wherever their work takes them.
“There has been a fundamental reordering of global trade across virtually every industry, and clients need to understand what that means for them,” Bartlett said. “All industries, and technology companies especially, are adapting every day to better understand and take advantage of the opportunities provided by the changing political environment and we are well positioned to help them navigate these changes. I’m excited to get started.”
With this addition, Greenberg Traurig has welcomed more than 20 shareholders, of counsel, and senior policy professionals to its Washington, D.C., office since the start of 2025, reflecting one of the most sustained periods of strategic growth in the office’s history. Those arrivals include Environmental Shareholder Stacey Bosshardt and Of Counsel Edward Roggenkamp; Financial Regulatory & Compliance Shareholder Ryan Hayden; Gaming Shareholder Rajat R. Shah; International Trade Shareholder Luciano Racco; Space & Satellite Shareholder Dr. Michael C. Mineiro; Technology, Media & Telecommunications Shareholder Kathryne C. Dickerson; State Attorneys General Practice Shareholders Douglas Gansler and Stephen Ruckman; State & Local Tax Shareholder John Ormonde; and Energy & Natural Resources Shareholder Adam Gendelman, among others.
Bartlett is not admitted to the practice of law.
About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 3,100 lawyers across 51 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm’s broad geographic and practice range enables the delivery of innovative and strategic legal services across borders and industries. Recognized as a 2025 BTI “Best of the Best Recommended Law Firm” by general counsel for trust and relationship management, Greenberg Traurig is consistently ranked among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100, NLJ 500, and Law360 400. Greenberg Traurig is also known for its philanthropic giving, culture, innovation, and pro bono work. Web: www.gtlaw.com.
SOURCE Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Washington, D.C
Storm Team4 Forecast: Foggy morning before chances of scattered showers, storms
4 things to know about the weather:
- Foggy start Tuesday morning
- Scattered showers & a few storms again Tuesday
- Not as hot Tuesday
- Slowly moving storms could cause flooding conditions later Tuesday afternoon/evening
After Monday night’s storms, we’re waking up to a fair amount of fog. Expect highs in the low 80s on Tuesday.
A few isolated showers are working across some of the northern suburbs of D.C. and they’ll move towards to east. Like Storm Team4 said on Monday, there’s daily chances of thunderstorms in the forecast now until the start of the upcoming weekend.
Look out for storms starting at about 6 p.m. Tuesday night and again at 9:30 p.m. In some areas, there’s a chance of flooding again.
On Wednesday, we’ll see clouds again but less rain chances. There’s a chance of on-and-off showers and a rumble of thunder on Thursday and then finally we’ll start to see a trend where things will start to get brighter and drier as a weather front comes though on Friday.
That weather front actually late into the evening may touch off a few more showers and storms that could linger into Saturday morning, but the trend Saturday and into Sunday is for drier air to replace all this moisture humidity. We’re going to see drying conditions on Saturday with highs right around 87 degrees.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
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QuickCast
TUESDAY
Mostly Cloudy | Muggy | Scattered Showers & Storms (50% Chance)
HIGH: 84F
TUESDAY NIGHT
Scattered Showers/Storms | Muggy
Temps: 70s Area-Wide
WEDNESDAY
Mostly Cloudy | Muggy | Scattered Showers & Storms (50% Chance)
HIGH: 83F
THURSDAY
Mostly Cloudy | Showers/ Storms Likely (60% Chance)
HIGHS: Upper 80s
FRIDAY
Partly Sunny | Isolated Showers/Storms Storms (30% Chance) | Hot
HIGHS: Near 90F
SUNSET: 8:36p
Averages: 89/72F
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
Washington, D.C
The hottest T-shirts in DC are from Metro – WTOP News
Metro is marking it’s 50th anniversary with gear featuring original Metro concept art an it’s wildly popular.
The hottest T-shirts in D.C. have nothing to do with U.S. soccer or even America’s 250th birthday. People are waiting in long lines for Metro gear.
Those lines have spilled out the door of the transit agency’s pop-up shop in the 300 block of 7th Street in Southwest D.C. and onto the hot sidewalk.
Metro is marking its 50th anniversary with designs that apparently people, such as Matthew Peterson, just have to have.
“I use Metro like every day and I’ve used all the lines,” Peterson, who has lived in D.C. for eight years, said. “I don’t even have a car. and it’s been essential to getting around so I just wanted to be able to commemorate it, and they’ve got cool marketing and cool merch.”
The shop features original Metro concept art on shirts, hats, postcards and other items. Katrina Gross picked up a shirt for her friend.
“They are pretty hot. I was surprised by how many people are here,” Gross said.
Tanner Holcomb also grabbed a shirt.
“I think these are really cool. There are some really nice vintage designs and I’m excited to wear it around,” Holcomb said.
The pop-up shop is open through July 10.
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