President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery is being defended by top administration officials as a vital security structure rather than a purely decorative monument. In court declarations submitted Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin argued that the massive project represents a strategic military opportunity for the nation.
The filings were submitted ahead of a Friday court hearing before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan to determine whether the White House possesses the legal authority to construct the monument at the head of the Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River. The project has previously drawn criticism from various lawmakers and veterans groups, who raised objections partly due to its proximity to Arlington National Cemetery.
According to the Cabinet officials’ statements, the proposed arch would serve as a base for snipers and counter-drone operations. Hegseth described the structure as a dual-purpose installation that functions as both a major national monument and a military asset to support homeland defense against evolving threats.
Mullin stated that the Secret Service would leverage the monument to improve security monitoring for senior government officials. Both officials emphasized that the arch’s height and strategic location would accommodate advanced sensors, communications equipment, and personnel, providing critical lines of sight for counter-unmanned aerial systems and other security missions.
Trump initially proposed the arch to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Amid mounting opposition, the president announced in September plans to designate the structure as a military complex equipped with drones, snipers, and ammunition storage facilities. The initiative joins other recent architectural changes in the capital, including the 2025 demolition of the White House East Wing to construct a ballroom—a project previously described by Solicitor General John Sauer in Supreme Court arguments as part of an integrated military complex for protecting the president and national secrets.
Construction on the arch could commence as early as November 5, pending a design review by the National Capital Planning Commission, a board composed of Trump officials and allies. Court filings indicate that completing the project is expected to take approximately three years.
