Trump says 76-meter 'Washington Arc de Triomphe' will double as military facility

A model of the proposed 'Washington Arc de Triomphe' [Getty Images]

Donald Trump said the 76-meter triumphal arch he plans to build near Washington, D.C. — dubbed the "Washington Arc de Triomphe" — will serve a dual purpose as a military facility.

Trump announced Sunday (local time) on Truth Social that he had agreed "at the strong request of the US military and for national security purposes" to combine the grand arch with a state-of-the-art military installation.

Trump said snipers would be stationed at the top of the arch and in the surrounding plaza. He added that the structure would store large quantities of sniper ammunition and be equipped to rapidly deploy multiple drones.

"There will be nothing like this facility anywhere in the world," Trump said. "Of the 59 major cities around the globe, Washington, D.C. is the only one without a triumphal arch — but now it will have the greatest one in the world."

The decision to incorporate military functions into the arch is also seen as a preemptive legal strategy, laying the groundwork to invoke national security justifications against potential lawsuits. In practice, a large banquet hall under construction inside the White House has similarly been given a military designation.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently concluded that the arch would not pose a hazard to aircraft operations. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located near the planned construction site.

Trump envisions building the arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, which is directly adjacent to Washington, D.C.

Trump's bid to leave his mark on Washington

Trump announced last year that he intended to build a structure modeled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to mark the United States' 250th anniversary.

In April, he unveiled plans to adorn the arch with golden angel and eagle sculptures.

Critics have noted, however, that Trump moved forward with the arch without consulting Congress, and that its scale could obstruct the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

With construction expected to take two to three years, concerns have also been raised about traffic disruptions and other inconveniences during the building period.

Since returning to power in January last year, Trump has pursued a series of efforts to leave his personal imprint on Washington, D.C.

He converted the East Wing of the White House into a large banquet hall and undertook renovations of the Reflecting Pool, one of the capital's most recognizable landmarks.

Trump has also announced plans to rename the Kennedy Center — Washington's premier performing arts venue — the "Trump-Kennedy Center."

He has had his name and likeness engraved on limited-edition passports and commemorative one-dollar coins.

yul@heraldcorp.com