US President Donald Trump has announced that his proposed triumphal arch in Washington DC will be repurposed to include a military ammunition storage complex, featuring capabilities for deploying snipers and drones.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump stated that the updates to the project were made at the “strong request” of the US military and are intended for “national security purposes.” He described the structure as a “top grade” facility capable of housing and rapidly deploying large numbers of drones, alongside storing significant quantities of sniper ammunition. Both the roof and plaza areas would be utilized for these military functions.
Trump asserted that no other capital city possesses a similar facility, noting that Washington DC is the only one among the world’s 59 top cities without a triumphal arch, though he did not specify which cities he was referencing.
Construction of the 250-foot (76m) structure was scheduled to begin this month. The arch is planned for a site just outside Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from the US capital. Earlier renderings displayed a golden, winged Lady Liberty atop the structure, flanked by two gold eagles, with the inscriptions “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All.” At its height, the monument would tower over the nearby 99-foot Lincoln Memorial and reach half the height of the Washington Monument.
The President did not provide details regarding the timeline or specific construction plans for the military addition, nor is it clear if further government approvals are required for the dual-use facility. The BBC has reached out to the Department of Defence for comment on the updated plans.
This project represents one of several major construction initiatives Trump has pursued during his second term to revitalize the capital. Other projects include a gilded renovation of the Oval Office, a proposed $400m White House ballroom, paving over the Rose Garden, and renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
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