Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona posted on X that he often visits friends buried in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery and that President Donald Trump wants to build what Gallego called an “ugly monstrosity” within view of the site, adding that “none of it earns a monument.” The post, tied to his remarks about a planned arch near Arlington, drew a wave of replies. Many commenters argued the project is not a monument to Trump and urged Gallego to focus on Arizona rather than the dispute.
The video, a segment from CNN’s “State of the Union,” shows host Jake Tapper asking whether Democrats would “advocate for tearing down the ballroom or tearing down the arch.” Gallego replies, “I think I’d be advocating for almost all of that,” citing January 6 and what he called damage to the Department of Justice. He says, “This is not me trying to get to Donald Trump because I don’t like Donald Trump; it’s because of what Donald Trump has done to this country.”
In the clip, Gallego adds that he “visits a lot of my friends at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery” and objects to “this ugly monstrosity in the view of this very sacred site.” When Tapper asks, “The arch?” Gallego says, “The arch is another reason why that needs to be taken care of.”
The X caption repeats that argument and states, “None of it earns a monument.” The footage does not show the planned structure or Arlington itself.
How Viewers Are Responding to Gallego’s Remarks
Several commenters said Gallego should focus on Arizona instead of the arch. One wrote, “What about Arizona? The state you represent!?!”
Another said, “Sure wish I had more representation in AZ. No policy proposals, just Trump bad.”
A quote post put it more directly: “QUIT WORRYING ABOUT TRUMP. CONCENTRATE ON WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ARIZONA!!!”
Others disputed his description of the project. One reply said, “It is not an ugly monstrosity. It is a monument to the glory of those who perished in the service of their country.”
Another argued, “It’s not a monument to Trump,” saying the arch would “celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.”
Additional replies questioned his January 6 remarks or accused him of spending “every waking minute attacking Trump.”
The exchange is now part of a wider argument over how Trump-era projects in Washington should be treated. Online, the focus remains on whether Gallego’s objections are about Arlington or another round of partisan fighting over the president’s mark on the capital.
