Trump plans to arm his Washington Triumphal Arch with drones and snipers in 'national security' justification

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026 · last updated 21 September 2026.

President Donald Trump has announced his controversial 250-foot Triumphal Arch near Arlington National Cemetery will double as a 'top grade Military Complex', housing drones, snipers and large quantities of ammunition. A retired US Marine colonel said the move 'looks like it's tacked on in order to strengthen the rationale for construction', and the Pentagon offered no endorsement beyond Trump's own Truth Social post. Opponents argue Congress has never authorised funding for the arch, and a federal judge has already ordered the government to give 48 hours' notice before any further construction activity.

Three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian have sued to block the arch, arguing it would ruin the symbolic view between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.

Public Citizen attorney Nick Sansone said Trump's 'belated efforts to manufacture a national security justification do nothing to cure its fundamental illegality'.

The arch was also reportedly ordered to carry a non-standard eternal flame on its roof to warn descending aircraft — raising fresh questions about how a drone arsenal would coexist with nearby flight paths.