President Donald Trump said Sunday that the massive arch he wants to build between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery would become a “top grade military complex” able to host drones and snipers while storing ammunition.
It is one more example of how Trump is insisting that his initiatives to beautify the White House and the city are also serving a defensive purpose. Trump has been calling the new White House ballroom a “military complex” and arguing it is necessary for national security purposes.
Trump’s announcement also comes as the arch, like his other projects, faces legal challenges. Though the arch has received early approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were all tapped by Trump, a group of three veterans and an architectural historian sued, saying the project needs to be approved by Congress.
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The Republican president said in a social media post that he had agreed, at the “strong request” of the military, to convert the planned 250-foot-tall (76-meter) memorial 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.”
The arch, proposed for a circle adjacent to the Memorial Bridge, is one of several projects that the Republican president is pursuing to leave his lasting imprint on Washington. Among the others are the white House ballroom, renaming and renovating the Kennedy Center, refurbishing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and rebuilding a golf course in East Potomac Park that could significantly reduce the public’s access to running and biking paths.
The groundbreaking for the arch was to have happened sometime this month. The project has not yet received final approval from the National Capital Area Planning Commission, which greenlit the site and preliminary plans at its July meeting. The commission is expected to take up the matter again this fall.
The anti-America comments mostly come from the weak minded who believe everything the media spoon feed them. Remember, the BBC had broadcast that the World Trade Centre collapsed before it even happened. Someone controls the media and tells them what to say, and sometimes they slip.
People can have their own opinions but does mean people have to accept those opinions either I really don’t care if Canadians don’t like us Americans. I don’t gauge my friends from Canada on who is the PM. That is foolish if you do.
Ben,
You seem to be the most anti-American on this comment page. Clearly you have an issue and quite obsessed as it must be USA lives rent free in your head. Did the USA not accept your citizen application.
I immigrated from India back in 2023. My first choice was US, then Australia, NZ, and didn’t want to go to Canada. Happily I got my first choice USA! Love it.
An inbred arch for the military that loses every war it fights
@William Kroger. I agree that developing nations do everything they can to access the US market. In developed nations though, there is a lot of anti americanism. A lot of observers have stated that the US is no longer living up to its ideals and maybe thats why. On world democracy and freedom indices, the US is dropping and I’m not sure when Trump is gone that will improve.
I recall it was the Canadians that invited an ex German WW 2 Officer in Parliament and honoured him.
Danke Schoen Trump, reminds me of 1940s Deutschland
@Dexter Ross. As a matter of fact I’ve read of worlwide dislike of Americans in multiple places, including the Economist. If you want to continue to use the CBC as your sole source, more power to you. I like the CBC as it counters the right slant of the media in this country.
@Ben. Just as info. Developing nations do summersaults to gain access to the USA market. It is about business and not emotions or feelings.
@Ben. It isn’t “everywhere”. Did you hear that on CBC?
Whiney soft Canadians. Absolutely hilarious.
Stars and Stripes – yeah, sure, whatever…you feel better now?
Stars and Stripes – you still don’t get it. And it’s Sigh, not Sign.
Sigh2 – transcribe and emulate: 4/10, lacks originality.
Megalomaniac through and through Still hung up on”ratings” from the apprentice.Who would want to spend on something of such insignificance when hegseth just asked for 1.5 trillion for a war thats supposed to be over? The whole paranoia drone thing is already covered with the white house ballroom addition.
I love Trump’s sense of humor. Thousands of leftists heads are exploding at this minute.
@Sign. What is the matter you can dish it out but not take it? Lol Canadians typically act as victims and have excuses for everything.
@Sigh 2. The anti americanism is world wide. It permeates the air in Europe, in the Middle East, in South America, etc. It’s like a breath of fresh air!
The anti-American comments arrive quickly and regardless of the story topic take take aim at Trump and MAGA. They must feel threatened by the USA and are also lashing out as the USA is looking after its own interests and people. They see a country moving on from Canada.
Super thing to spend money on! Best military ever! Who needs food we got bombs! Cue the whiny people who think this isn’t necessary… what happens when we get attacked huh?! Exactly! Thank you daddy trump! More of this
The Straight of Hormuz ARCH !!
The anti-Canadian comments arrive quickly and regardless of the story topic. It’s as though the posters, who may or may not be Americans but are too gutless to use their real names, are threatened by Canada. When they see a country and people who are better off, safer, more peaceful and more popular in the world than them, their only reaction is to adopt THEIR leader’s kindergarten response of lame insults and cheap shots. Because everyone knows that the only way to make yourself feel superior (when you know you’re not) is to try to take everyone else down.
Sad.
Next Trump will change Washington to New Berlin
USA will always be a global leader and superpower and Canada will always be irrelevant as all they do is spew platitudes and just virtue signal with no action or results.
Trump is such an egotistical moron. The USA has sadly fallen from favour in the world because of one person. Get rid of the scumbag now.
I get the distinct feeling Trump feels someone doesn’t like him with all the security he is building…
USA has a rich history with the Military and Armed Forces. Unlike Canada whose military isn’t ready of any action.
Looks like a colourized picture from WW2 Germany.
I wonder who he is planning on using drones against in Washinton? Thinking of taking out Democrats or visiting dignitaries, I guess. How many weapons of crowd control does he think he needs at a cemetery
Sounds just as useful as a bunker in case a ballroom gets attacked.
Cue the Canadian outrage as they have sour grapes their military is a laughing stock.
My Momma dropped me on my head one too many times. Duhhh. Life is like a box of chocolates.
Anonymous is a village idiot
MAGA minions are to be directed to build the dictator monuments/military post to control the people.
Oh the Mc Donald’s arch as tribute to his favourite restaurant!
Yes, stupid does it again. This will be “formidably” known as MAGTA…Make America a Greatest Target Arch(ery) for his enemies to shoot down. This is the most absurd plan ever to expose top secret national security and worse, to put the public in danger.