Donald Trump proposes converting planned 76-meter Washington arch into military complex for drones and snipers

Military repurposing of the arch

Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the planned triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. will serve as a military installation alongside its ceremonial role. Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated that the redesign responded to a request from the United States military to address national security needs. The installation is planned to house, store, and deploy unmanned aerial drones while maintaining sniper positions across both the roof and plaza sections. Trump confirmed the facility would also maintain large reserves of sniper ammunition in on-site storage.

At the strong request of the United States Military, and for National Security purposes, I have agreed to convert the magnificent Triumphal Arch, planned since the Civil War Era many years ago, at the Receptive Circle adjoining the Arlington Memorial Bridge, into a top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch, to house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage.

Monument design and geographic placement

The proposed structure is designed to reach a height of 76 meters, making it nearly three times the height of the Brandenburg Gate and one and a half times as tall as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Architectural plans outline a bright white arch topped with a golden statue of freedom featuring angel wings and two eagles. The arch is slated for construction at the Receptive Circle adjoining the Arlington Memorial Bridge, placing it directly on an axis with the Lincoln Memorial across the Potomac River. United States media outlets have nicknamed the project the Arc de Trump in reference to its scale and personal branding. The administration previously applied a similar national security rationale when justifying the demolition of the East Wing of the White House.

Opposition and regulatory review

The project has faced resistance from multiple civic, veteran, and aviation groups since its initial unveiling. Military veterans, a politically sensitive demographic in the United States, objected to the placement because the 76-meter structure would block the sightline connecting the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery. Aviation experts also raised safety concerns regarding flight corridors for nearby airports serving the capital region. In early September, Trump's interior secretary announced that construction work on the project was set to begin, despite the absence of an approved building permit. The National Park Service, which manages federal monuments in Washington, is conducting a formal review of the site and has pointed to adverse impacts from the construction plans.

Administrative timeline and next steps

A final regulatory determination on the project remains pending before federal preservation officials. The National Park Service is scheduled to conclude its project evaluation and issue an official decision by November. The monument initiative has developed since Trump assumed his second presidential term in January 2025. German media coverage noted that framing the monument as a national security installation provides additional legal and executive weight to the project. Federal agencies have not released a public statement confirming whether the military submitted a formal operational requirement for the facility.