The 250‑foot arch, originally conceived during the Civil War era, sits at a circular junction adjacent to the Arlington Memorial Bridge, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he had agreed to transform the monument into a top‑grade military complex, capable of housing drones, snipers and large stocks of ammunition, citing national security needs.
The Federal Aviation Administration, after reviewing the design, determined the structure would not pose a hazard to aircraft. It will still require a top‑of‑structure light and floodlights to keep it visible to pilots, and aircraft must fly at least 780 feet above the site or 488 feet above the arch’s peak.
Veterans and other groups have filed lawsuits arguing the arch would obliterate the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. Senator Tammy Duckworth, chair of the Senate aviation subcommittee, urged the FAA to reject the project, citing commercial flight risks.
A federal judge issued a deadline order on September 4, demanding the Trump administration provide 48‑hour notice before any activity at the site, except for work to locate underground cultural artifacts. The construction could take two to three years, with cranes reaching up to 320 feet and operating up to 20 hours a day.
The next step will be the administration’s compliance with the judge’s notice requirement while the FAA’s clearance remains in place, as opposition groups continue to argue for the arch’s removal.