A Trump-appointed federal judge issued a temporary restraining order order stopping the Reconciliation Monument at Arlington National Cemetery from being removed.
A lawsuit filed by Defend Arlington, the group seeking the restraining order, said, “The removal will desecrate, damage, and likely destroy the Memorial longstanding at ANC as a grave marker and impede the Memorial’s eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.”
The monument’s removal was originally slated to be completed by December 22, according to the Associated Press.
Discussion of the Confederate monument’s removal began after the congressional Naming Commission recommended the historic memorial be taken down.
In response to the recommendation, Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) led an effort to halt the monument removal.
“As its removal does not align with the original intent of Congress, the House of Representatives took action to prevent the removal of the Reconciliation Monument in the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Defense Appropriations Act,” the letter says. “The Department of Defense must comply with this request or risk denigrating the delicate balance of the principles of separation of powers between Congress and the Executive, outlined in the Constitution.”
“The Reconciliation Monument does not honor nor commemorate the Confederacy; the memorial commemorates reconciliation and national unity. Furthermore, the Naming Commission’s authority explicitly prohibits the desecration of grave sites,” the Republicans behind the letter add. “Considering the hundreds of gravestones encircling the monument, it would be impossible for these graves to remain untouched if the Department of the Army proceeds with its proposed removal of the monument – both being a clear violation of Congress’ enacted statute and legislative intent.”
