Trump says planned arch could serve military functions

President Donald Trump said Sunday that a planned triumphal arch near the Arlington Memorial Bridge would be designed to support military uses, including drones, rooftop snipers and ammunition storage. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the structure would be converted into a “Military Complex/Triumphal Arch” at the request of the U.S. military and for national security reasons. He said the 250foot monument would include space to deploy drones quickly and areas for snipers on the roof and plaza. The proposed arch, inspired by Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, is meant to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary and welcome visitors entering Washington from Arlington National Cemetery. The plan has faced criticism from preservationists, lawmakers and veterans, who say it could affect views of the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery and may need congressional approval. Federal planners have approved the site and preliminary designs, but further review is still required.