President Donald Trump revealed that the "Arch of Triumph" project near Washington, D.C., will be adapted to serve as both a monument and a military operations center capable of storing and deploying drones, as well as accommodating rooftop snipers and front plaza areas, citing national security reasons. Meanwhile, Democratic members of Congress expressed concerns about impacts on airspace usage.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the construction of the Arch of Triumph near Arlington Memorial Bridge, at the Receptive Circle roundabout opposite the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., and near Arlington National Cemetery, will be converted into a large military command center alongside its function as a monument.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he decided to modify the project following requests from the U.S. military and for national security purposes. The U.S. leader said the arch will be a high-level military command center, capable of storing military equipment and supporting rapid deployment of numerous drones and snipers. There will be space for snipers on the roof and surrounding plaza, with large ammunition stockpiles for snipers planned.
Trump also said, "There will be no command center like this anywhere else in the world," but did not disclose further details about construction design, exact timelines, or whether the revised project requires additional approvals from relevant agencies.
Trump's Arch of Triumph project is 250 feet (approximately 76 meters) tall, with construction expected to begin this September at the roundabout near Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Previously released renderings showed a golden Statue of Liberty with wings atop the arch, flanked by two golden eagle statues, along with inscriptions "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" in gold on the sides of the structure. If built as designed, the arch will be taller than the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial and approximately half the height of the Washington Monument.
The project is part of Trump's plan to revamp the landscape and appearance of Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. However, the project has raised concerns about its impact on the sightlines of other important monuments in Washington, including Arlington National Cemetery, as well as its proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Trump emphasized the project's necessity, stating that among 59 leading cities and capitals worldwide, Washington, D.C. is the only capital without an arch of triumph, adding that the new arch will be the grandest of its kind.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the arch will not pose a hazard to flights arriving or departing from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Nevertheless, Democratic legislators remain concerned that the project could complicate airspace management over Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Defense declined to provide further details about the revised project when contacted for comment.
Since beginning his second term as U.S. president, Trump has pursued multiple projects to improve and alter key areas in Washington, D.C., including redecorating the Oval Office in gold, constructing a large banquet hall inside the White House estimated to cost around $400 million, landscaping the White House Rose Garden, and renovating the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
This Arch of Triumph is one of the major construction projects Trump prioritizes in his plan to transform the U.S. capital city.