Trump says his planned arch would become a ‘military complex’ able to host drones and snipers

President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that the towering arch he plans to erect between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery would be transformed into a "top grade military complex." This complex would be equipped to host drones, snipers, and store large quantities of ammunition. This assertion underscores Trump's habit of suggesting that his projects to enhance the White House and the city also serve defensive purposes.

Trump had already dubbed the new White House ballroom a "military complex" and argued that it was essential for national security. In a recent social media post, he indicated that he had consented to the "strong request" of the military to convert the proposed 250-foot-tall (76-meter) memorial arch into a "top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch." This conversion would enable the arch to accommodate a vast number of drones, snipers, and ample sniper ammunition in storage.

The arch, planned for a circle near the Memorial Bridge, is part of a series of initiatives spearheaded by the Republican president to leave his mark on Washington. These include the White House ballroom, the renaming and renovation of the Kennedy Center, refurbishing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and rebuilding a golf course in East Potomac Park. This design aims to significantly restrict public access to running and biking paths.