Trump Says Planned Washington Arch Will House Drones, Snipers

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that his planned 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery will also serve as a military complex capable of housing drones, deploying snipers and storing large quantities of ammunition.

Trump said he agreed to the change at the “strong request” of the US military and for national security purposes, adding a new military function to a project originally proposed as a monument marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the structure as a “top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch” that would have the ability to rapidly deploy large numbers of drones, while allowing snipers to operate from its roof and plaza areas.

He did not identify a specific security threat that prompted the change or provide details about how the proposed facility would operate. The White House and the Department of Defense had not immediately responded to requests for comment, according to Reuters.

Military role emerges during approval process

The announcement comes as the proposed arch continues to move through federal review and faces opposition from veterans and historic preservation groups.

The structure is planned near Memorial Circle, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The proposed site sits along the Arlington Memorial Bridge, a prominent part of Washington’s monumental landscape.

The Washington Post reported that the idea of converting the arch into a military complex had not previously been raised during consultations with Washington and Virginia historic-preservation officials. The administration has been pursuing the required federal preservation process as it seeks to advance the project.

Trump’s announcement therefore introduces a new element to a project whose stated purpose had primarily been commemorative.

The Federal Aviation Administration said last week that the proposed 250-foot structure would not create a hazard to aircraft, clearing an aviation-related hurdle. The agency also said the arch would be required to have an “eternal flame” on top.

The project has nevertheless faced legal challenges. A group of veterans and an architectural historian have sued to block the arch, arguing that the project requires congressional approval. The structure has received preliminary approval from the US Commission of Fine Arts but still requires further federal authorization.

Questions remain over the proposed facility

Trump has not publicly explained why the arch needs to function as a military installation or what specific military requirement it would meet.

His announcement comes as his administration has also described other major Washington projects in national-security terms. Reuters noted that Trump has used a similar rationale in describing the roughly $400 million ballroom project planned at the White House.

The arch itself has been controversial because of its proposed location and potential effect on the historic views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Veterans challenging the project have argued that the structure would interfere with that historic sightline.

The administration has indicated that work on the arch could begin as early as November, although the project remains subject to the federal review process.

For now, the military role Trump has outlined remains based on his announcement rather than a detailed publicly released Pentagon plan. No operational specifications have been provided for the proposed drone facility, sniper positions or ammunition storage.