Donald Trump stated that his proposed victory arch would simultaneously function as a military equipment storage facility, including the ability to deploy snipers and drones. He stated that the plans were updated at the "strong request" of the military and for "national security."
According to him, this is a "premier" military complex and a victory arch that will "house, store, and provide quick access to a large number of drones, along with snipers, on the roof and terrace areas," while additionally holding large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage. Trump did not provide details on construction plans or timelines, and it is unclear whether additional approval is required for the structure.
On his platform Truth Social, he stated that "no such object exists anywhere in the world." He added that among the "59 premier cities and capitals," Washington DC was the "only one in the world without a victory arch," without specifying which cities were meant. The arch was linked to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and he stated that it would be the "largest" such arch in any of the leading world cities and capitals.
Construction of the arch, 250 feet (76 metres) high, planned for a location across the Potomac River from Washington DC, just outside Arlington Cemetery, was set to begin this month. The 250-foot height is measured from the base to the top of the golden statue. At this height, the structure would tower over the nearby 99-foot Lincoln Memorial and be half the height of the Washington Monument.
A design rendering from earlier this year includes a golden, winged Lady Liberty at the top of the arch, surrounded by two golden eagles, with the inscriptions "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" written in gold on both sides of the structure. The arch is to be clad in granite, with three golden statues on top.
The arch project has faced widespread criticism due to its potential impact on the historic district of central Washington DC. The proposed location in the roundabout near the Memorial Bridge could disrupt views of several iconic buildings, including the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery, which would surround it. Placement near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport has also raised questions among members of Congress.
Last week, the National Park Service warned that the project could have "harmful effects on historic landmarks" and called for additional planning before construction began. The BBC contacted the Department of Defence for further information on the updated plans.
The arch is one of several construction projects initiated by Trump, which he claims are necessary to enhance the visual grandeur of the capital, while critics describe them as covert efforts to promote his own legacy. Among these are the construction of a ballroom at the White House, the renovation of the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial, and the renovation of the Kennedy Center.
All of these projects have faced significant challenges, from criticism of aesthetic quality to structural issues and legal challenges. In the case of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, one of the world's leading cultural venues, Trump indicated that it might be demolished entirely due to his anger that courts had blocked the addition of his name to the title. The ballroom, also referred to by Trump as a "military complex," was subject to legal disputes, with the US Supreme Court recently ruling that the project could proceed.
Trump has initiated a series of construction projects to renovate the capital, including the gilding of the Oval Office, the construction of a ballroom at the White House estimated at $400 million, the paving of the White House rose garden, and the renovation of the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial. The arch is one of the largest projects Trump has been focusing on.
