Trump Says Proposed Washington Arch Will Double as Military Complex With Drones, Snipers

US President Donald Trump has said his proposed 250-foot (76-metre) triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery will also serve as a military complex capable of housing drones, snipers and ammunition.

Trump made the announcement on Sunday, September 20, saying the change was made at the “strong request” of the US military and for national security purposes. According to his statement, the structure would be equipped to store and rapidly deploy large numbers of drones, while snipers could operate from its roof and plaza areas.

The proposed arch is planned for a traffic circle near the Arlington Memorial Bridge, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. At 250 feet, it would be more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial and is designed to become one of the largest triumphal arches in the world.

Trump has described the project as a monument to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary and has previously promoted it as a major addition to Washington’s landscape. Earlier designs included an observation deck and statues at the top of the structure.

His latest announcement, however, adds a military function to the project. Trump said the facility would be able to house and store drones, deploy snipers from the roof and plaza, and hold substantial quantities of sniper ammunition.

The Pentagon declined to provide additional information about Trump’s announcement, according to reports by ABC News and CNN.

The proposed arch is already facing legal challenges. A group that includes military veterans and an architectural historian has challenged the project, arguing that congressional approval is required before construction can proceed. Their lawyers have also questioned whether describing the structure as a national-security facility changes the legal requirements governing the project.

The project’s location has also generated concerns because of its proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and its potential impact on historic views linking the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The Federal Aviation Administration said last week that the proposed structure would not pose a hazard to aircraft operating at the nearby airport.

The National Park Service has previously determined that the arch could have adverse effects on a number of historic landmarks and Washington’s established landscape. The revised military components announced by Trump were not part of the plans previously reviewed by key federal agencies, according to CNN.

The arch is one of several major construction and redevelopment projects Trump is pursuing in Washington, including a large ballroom at the White House and changes to other prominent sites. His administration has similarly cited national-security considerations in describing aspects of the White House ballroom project.

Final approval for the arch remains pending through the relevant federal review process, while the legal challenges surrounding the project continue.