Hegseth and DHS tell court Trump’s 250-foot arch would be a DC military base against enemy drones

The Trump administration is now telling a federal court that the 250-foot arch planned for Washington, D.C. is needed for national defense, a shift from earlier denials by officials that they knew of any plan for a military role. In filings made Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the structure as both a national monument and a site with military uses, including housing counter-sniper personnel. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the government wants an elevated, centralized site in the city for detecting and disrupting drones. The Justice Department says work could start November 5, with construction above ground beginning in May 2027 and completion not expected until 2030, according to The Independent.

The filings seek dismissal of a suit by Vietnam War veterans Jon Gundersen, Michael Lemmon and Shaun Byrnes, who say the arch near Arlington National Cemetery dishonors veterans and bypasses Congress. Advocates also contend it violates the Height of Buildings Act's 130-foot cap. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation says no submitted plans match the president's vision, and Interior Department renderings omit any military features. Judge Tanya Chutkan is scheduled to consider a request to halt construction on Friday.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →