Trump Says Planned Washington Arch Would Double as Military Complex
Trump says his planned 250-foot arch in Washington would serve as a military complex housing drones, snipers and ammunition.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the large memorial arch he wants to build in Washington would also function as a military installation, capable of supporting drones and snipers and storing ammunition.
In a social media post, Trump said he had agreed to the conversion at the "strong request" of the military. He described the structure as a "top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch" that would house, store and allow rapid use of large numbers of drones, along with snipers positioned on both its roof and plaza areas. The arch would also hold substantial quantities of sniper ammunition, he said.
The proposed arch would stand 250 feet (76 meters) tall on a circle next to the Memorial Bridge, placing it between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
The project is the latest instance of Trump presenting his efforts to reshape the capital's public spaces as serving a defensive purpose as well. He has similarly described a new White House ballroom as a "military complex" and argued that it is needed for national security.
The arch is one of several initiatives Trump is pursuing to leave a lasting mark on Washington. Others include the White House ballroom, the renaming and renovation of the Kennedy Center, refurbishment of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and the rebuilding of a golf course at East Potomac Park that could significantly reduce public access to running and biking paths.