Trump to use Washington triumphal arch as military complex

United States President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the triumphal arch he plans to build near Arlington ​National Cemetery in Washington would double as a “military complex” housing drones and ‌snipers, as well as storing large quantities of ammunition. The president cited national security concerns for the move, echoing the rationale offered for the roughly $400 million ballroom complex being built on ​the site of the White House’s former East Wing, which was ​demolished to make way for the project. He did not identify ⁠any specific threats.

The projects are part of Trump’s ambitious effort to reshape Washington, including a push to add his name to the John F. Kennedy ​Centre for the Performing Arts. The plans have drawn criticism from preservationists and others who argue they could alter or diminish historic landmarks. In a social media post, Trump ​said that at the “strong request” of the military he had agreed to ​turn the 76-metre arch “into a top-grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch, to 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. ” The White House and the Department of Defence did not ​immediately…