Trump reveals plans to fortify new DC arch as military guardpost

"At the strong request of the United States Military, and for National Security purposes, I have agreed to convert the magnificent Triumphal Arch ... 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," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "There will be no facility like this anywhere in the World."

The archway was due to begin construction this month, but administration officials are now eyeing a November groundbreaking, pending final approval.

It will adjoin one of the main corridors connecting D.C. with Virginia, the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and is planned to be 250 feet tall, celebrating the nation's recent semiquincentennial.

It was not immediately clear whether the use of the site as a strategic military guardpost would impact earlier plans to use it as a “visitor destination,” complete with an observation deck.

As with other efforts by the president to enhance and beautify Washington, D.C., the project has faced ridicule and resistance from TDS-afflicted leftists concerned that the Republican leader will leave behind a lasting legacy in the nation's capital.

Groups including historic preservationists earlier complained that the arch would spoil views of other monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial.

"The arch would not merely be ‘prominently visible,’" wrote C. Andrew Lewis, an official in DC's historic preservation office in a Sept. 16 letter to the National Park Service. "Instead, it would visually overwhelm the surrounding historic context."

Democrats likewise pushed back against the new plans to give it a military purpose.

"Putting a drone launching site directly in the landing path for DCA is a stupid, dangerous, and unworkable idea," Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., wrote on X. "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."

Activist groups have already filed suit to halt the project, claiming it violated the law by failing to secure congressional approval or satisfy "other procedural requirements."

The resistance echoes the ongoing legal action against Trump's planned White House ballroom, which court documents revealed is also expected to include an underground military bunker.

A ruling in August from the US Supreme Court authorized the project to proceed, citing its national-security purpose, over the objections of organizations including the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

However, some Democrats have pledged to raze the facility should they regain control of the White House. George Soros-backed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in August threatened to "blow up" the ballroom.

"In about 10 to 15 years, we are all going to be sitting here with smiles on our faces," Krasner said. "And I’m going to have a paper weight sitting on my desk. And do you know what that paper weight’s going to be? It’s going to be a piece of the ballroom after we blow it up."