Trump claims triumphal arch will serve as a ‘top grade military complex’ to store weapons

US President Donald Trump has announced that his proposed triumphal arch in Washington DC will be converted into a "top grade military complex". According to Trump, the 250ft structure will be used to house, store, and deploy drones, snipers, and large quantities of sniper ammunition. The plan was made at the "strong request" of the US military, Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform.

The arch, proposed for a location near Arlington National Cemetery, has faced criticism and legal challenges since its announcement. According to ABC News AU, the project has not yet received final approval from the National Capital Area Planning Commission, which is expected to take up the issue again in the next few months. The Federal Aviation Administration had previously determined that the arch would not pose a hazard to aircraft.

The project aims to leave a lasting imprint on Washington, with Trump stating that the arch will be "by far, the greatest of them all". The arch's proposed location has raised concerns, with veterans suing to block the project, arguing it would destroy the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, Global News and The Jerusalem Post reported.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Guardian US, ABC News AU, Global News, Jerusalem Post, The Hill — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.