Washington — President Trump said Sunday that he has agreed to turn plans for a massive Arc de Triomphe into a “world-class military complex,” equipped with snipers and drone storage. “At the strong request of the United States military, and for reasons of national security, I have agreed to convert the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, planned since the Civil War era many years ago, in the Receptive Circle adjacent to the Arlington Memorial Bridge, into a world-class Military Complex/Arc de Triomphe,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Work on the 250-foot-tall arch was expected to begin this month, with plans to begin excavation at the site across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., at a rotunda near Arlington National Cemetery. The arch is proposed to be clad in granite and topped with three golden statues and to have an observation platform. The president said Sunday that the arch would “house, store and have the rapid capability to use large quantities of drones, as well as snipers, both on the roof and in the plaza,” in addition to storing “large quantities of sniper ammunition.” Trump said “there will be no facilities like this anywhere in the world.” “Of the 59 major cities and capitals, Washington, DC, IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD THAT DOESN’T HAVE A TRIUMPHAL ARCH, but now it will, and by far the largest of them all!” he added. The administration has said the development of the arch, part of a broader effort by the president to put his architectural stamp on the nation’s capital, will recognize the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year. But it has generated pushback amid concerns that the monument’s height could interfere with sight lines between major D.C. monuments and Arlington National Cemetery, along with its proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration determined Friday that the arch poses no danger to flights arriving and departing from the nearby airport, despite concerns from Democratic lawmakers that the project would further complicate already complex airspace. Joe Walsh contributed to this report. More from CBS News Go deeper with The Free Press
