Trump says planned triumphal arch will double as a 'top grade military complex'

US President Donald Trump has offered a new justification for his planned triumphal arch in Washington DC, saying in a Sunday post on Truth Social that the structure will double as a "top grade military complex," equipped with storage for drones and ammunition and customized sniper facilities on its roof and plaza.

Trump said the new plan came at the "strong request" of the US military, claiming the 250-foot structure would be able to house and rapidly deploy large quantities of sniper ammunition. He added that no facility like it exists anywhere in the world.

Criticism over historic downtown

The arch project has already faced significant criticism over its potential effect on Washington's historic downtown area. Its planned location near the Memorial Bridge could obstruct sight lines to major landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, which would flank the structure.

The site's proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has also prompted questions from Democratic members of Congress. Last week, the National Park Service warned the project could cause "adverse effects to historic properties" and called for further planning before construction begins.

The arch is one of several construction projects Trump has initiated in the capital, which he says are needed to elevate the city's visual grandeur but which critics describe as efforts to burnish his own legacy. Others include a White House ballroom, refurbishment of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, and renovation of the Kennedy Center — all of which have encountered aesthetic criticism, structural issues, or legal challenges.

Groundbreaking for the arch is expected this month. Trump has tied the project to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, predicting it will be the greatest triumphal arch of any world capital. The structure will be clad in granite and topped with three golden statues.