Trump Announces DC Triumphal Arch Will Double as a Military Complex for Drones and Snipers

A planned “triumphal arch” near iconic landmarks in Washington, DC, will also function as a military complex equipped to store drones and other military hardware, according to United States President Donald Trump. Modifications were implemented following requests from the military for “National Security purposes,” Trump stated on his social media platform on Sunday.

The initiative will now be utilized to “house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage,” Trump noted, adding that no other facility in the world compares to it.

Donald Trump initially proposed the monumental arch last year to commemorate 250 years of US independence, comparing it to renowned structures like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, though he touted his version as the largest. The US president did not disclose specific details regarding the updated design on Sunday, which was previously slated to reach a height of 76 metres (250 feet).

The project has encountered continuous criticism over its proposed scale and placement, particularly regarding concerns that it would obstruct views of Arlington National Cemetery. In February, three veterans of the Vietnam War initiated legal action against the proposal, arguing it would disrupt the sightline between the cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

The US Commission of Fine Arts approved a design in April incorporating golden lions, golden eagles, and a winged angel. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration noted the structure would require a warning beacon but would not threaten traffic at Reagan Washington National Airport.

This initiative is among several Donald Trump projects in the capital facing public opposition, alongside controversies surrounding the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a $400m White House ballroom development.