Key facts
- President Donald Trump plans to convert his proposed triumphal arch into a military complex.
- Trump claims the US military requested the conversion for national security purposes.
- The arch will reportedly house drones and sniper facilities, and store ammunition.
- The FAA determined the arch would not hazard airplanes.
- Construction is expected to take 2-3 years.
President Donald Trump plans to convert his proposed triumphal arch into a military complex for national security purposes, according to his social media posts. Trump stated that the "top grade" military complex and arch will "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". He added that Washington DC is "the only one in the world that does not have a triumphal arch" among the "59 top cities and Capitals". Construction on the 250-foot arch, planned for a site across the Potomac River from Washington DC just outside the Arlington National Cemetery, was expected to begin this month. The structure would stand 250-feet (76m) from its base to the top of the golden lady statue. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that the proposed structure would not pose a hazard to airplanes. Construction is expected to take between two and three years.