Trump says Washington triumphal arch will serve as a ‘military complex’

U.S. president wants monument to house drones, snipers and ammunition

Published Sep 20, 2026  •  2 minute read

Commission of Fine Arts commission member Matthew Taylor inspects a model of U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed triumphal arch to commemorate the country's 250th anniversary during a public meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts at the National Building Museum on April 16, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Photo by Andrew Harnik /Getty Images

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source 

Article content

U.S. President Donald Trump said that a massive triumphal arch that he wants built on a historic site in Washington, D.C., would also serve as a “top grade Military Complex.”

Article content

Article content

In a Truth Social post Sunday morning, Trump said he agreed to convert the 250-foot triumphal arch “at the strong request of the United States Military, and for National Security purposes.”

The structure would “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 said.

“There will be no facility like this anywhere in the World,” he added.

Location an area of historical significance

The proposed triumphal arch will be located along the Potomac River on a traffic circle near the Memorial Bridge that connects Washington, D.C., with Virginia, and will be directly across from Arlington National Cemetery.

The area is considered historically significant as the Memorial Bridge is a national symbol of reconciliation between the North and South after the U.S. Civil War.

Article content

On Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration released a hazard study saying the arch “would not pose a hazard to aircraft,” but would require an “eternal flame” on top to increase visibility for pilots.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Trump leaving his mark in D.C.

The memorial arch is among several renovation projects in Washington that Trump proposed since beginning his second term in January 2025.

Two projects that faced intense legal challenges are the construction of a White House ballroom and the renovation of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with Trump adding his name to the D.C. arts facility’s signage until a federal judge ruled that the move was illegal.

Late last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could continue with the ballroom construction, rejecting a challenge from a preservation group.

Read More

1. 

   US Supreme Court allows Trump ballroom project to proceed

2. 

   Trump unveils White House helipad as building frenzy escalates

3. 

   Kennedy Center closes as Trump threatens to stop repairs over naming fight

Article content