Trump Wants to Turn Washington’s Triumphal Arch into a Military Complex
World
U.S. President Donald Trump said the planned 76-meter triumphal arch in Washington will also serve as a military complex. According to Trump, the structure would be used to house and store large numbers of drones, sniper equipment and ammunition.
The arch is planned near the Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had agreed to change the project at the “strong request” of the U.S. military and for national security purposes.
Trump said the structure would provide the rapid-use capability for large numbers of drones and allow snipers to be positioned on the roof and plaza. He also said significant quantities of sniper ammunition would be stored there.
“There will be no facility like this anywhere in the World,” Trump wrote. He also said Washington was the only one among 59 major cities and capitals worldwide without a triumphal arch, without specifying which cities were included.
The project was initially presented as a new tourist attraction. An earlier design showed a golden winged figure at the top, two golden eagles and inscriptions reading “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All.”
The project is facing legal challenges. A group of veterans and an architectural historian have sued, arguing that congressional approval is required for the construction. A federal judge has also ordered the administration to provide 48 hours’ notice before beginning work at the site, except for efforts to identify cultural artifacts.
The Federal Aviation Administration previously determined that the arch would not pose a hazard to aircraft if specified marking requirements were met. The Pentagon said it had no additional information beyond Trump’s statement.
Trump said the structure would provide the rapid-use capability for large numbers of drones and allow snipers to be positioned on the roof and plaza. He also said significant quantities of sniper ammunition would be stored there.
“There will be no facility like this anywhere in the World,” Trump wrote. He also said Washington was the only one among 59 major cities and capitals worldwide without a triumphal arch, without specifying which cities were included.
The project was initially presented as a new tourist attraction. An earlier design showed a golden winged figure at the top, two golden eagles and inscriptions reading “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All.”
The project is facing legal challenges. A group of veterans and an architectural historian have sued, arguing that congressional approval is required for the construction. A federal judge has also ordered the administration to provide 48 hours’ notice before beginning work at the site, except for efforts to identify cultural artifacts.
The Federal Aviation Administration previously determined that the arch would not pose a hazard to aircraft if specified marking requirements were met. The Pentagon said it had no additional information beyond Trump’s statement.
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