Trump plans drones and snipers at proposed Washington memorial arch
In a social media post, Trump described the planned capabilities of the complex, saying it would be designed to “...into a top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch"
President Donald Trump announced plans to convert a proposed 250-foot-tall (76-metre) memorial arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery into a "top grade military complex" and Triumphal Arch, saying the change came at the military's "strong request".
In a social media post, Trump described the planned capabilities of the complex, saying it would be designed to "...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."
The proposed site is a heavily trafficked circle near the Memorial Bridge, a primary connector between Washington, DC, and northern Virginia, says Arab News.
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Representative Don Beyer, a Democrat from Virginia whose district surrounds the proposed site, opposed the project, citing its proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
"Putting a drone launching site directly in the landing path for DCA is a stupid, dangerous, and unworkable idea," Beyer said in a comment on X.
Beyer also said Trump anticipated legal challenges to the project and was using national security claims as a pretext to defend against lawsuits.
"Trump clearly expects to lose a lawsuit and therefore wants to set up a pretext to argue that the arch is tied to national security. Which is obviously idiotic." Beyer said on X.
The proposal is part of a broader effort by Trump to leave a lasting mark on the nation's capital.
Other initiatives include construction of a White House ballroom, the renaming and renovation of the Kennedy Center, refurbishment of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the rebuilding of a golf course in East Potomac Park.
Trump has also described the new White House ballroom as a "military complex" to justify its national security purpose.
The East Potomac Park project threatens to significantly diminish public access to running and biking paths.
