‘Gonzo bonkers’: Trump's plan to militarize triumphal arch sparks pushback

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth is condemning President Trump's plan to transform a massive triumphal arch into a military complex equipped with snipers and the capability to store, launch, and land drones, in close proximity to Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. The senator, who lost both legs while serving in Iraq, wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in a letter, urging them to reject the "foolhardy plan" and prioritize airspace safety instead.

The arch, 250 feet tall, is currently being constructed near Arlington National Cemetery and has been determined by the FAA not to pose a risk to flights to and from Reagan Airport. Duckworth labeled Trump's announcement, made on the social media platform Truth Social, as "bizarre" and "unhinged early morning rants." She harshly criticized the administration for wasting taxpayer dollars on a vanity project, especially after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended 52 safety improvements following a 2025 midair collision near Reagan Airport that killed 67 people.

Only three of the 52 recommendations were addressed by the FAA, while all 13 directed to the Pentagon remain open. In her letter, Duckworth demanded answers about the FAA's review process and the military's interest in the arch. She also requested details from Hegseth regarding the military entity that requested the conversion and the threat assessment supporting that request.