Donald Trump said Tuesday he is seeking final approval for a 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington that he described as a “military complex.” The president stated the structure would be used to enhance regional security by incorporating “tremendous drone capability” and “sniper or shooter capability,” adding a tactical layer to the monument’s design that was absent from plans released by the administration on Oct 18.
The pivot comes as the administration faces multiple legal challenges from the city of Washington and the state of Virginia, who argue the project lacks congressional authorization. Plaintiffs in those cases have requested a federal ruling by noon Thursday to prevent construction from beginning that evening, as the government had previously indicated a target start date of Nov 5. U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan has previously expressed skepticism regarding the government’s claim that the tower would serve a critical security function.
