GOP rep pushes back on Trump's military arch plan, says funding is needed elsewhere

WASHINGTON, DC: After President Donald Trump announced that the proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch in Washington will also function as a “top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch,” a GOP rep expressed concern over the Pentagon funds to be used for the upcoming project.

In a Sunday, September 20, Truth Social post, Trump said the facility would house and rapidly deploy a large number of drones, provide sniper positions on its roof and plaza, and store large quantities of quantities of sniper ammunition.

GOP rep opposes using Pentagon funds for the arch

Rep Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, said Monday that he opposes using Pentagon funding toward the construction of President Trump’s triumphal arch.

According to Politico, Simpson told a reporter, “There’s a lot of things that we need the military funding for- in fact, we’re short on military funding right now.”

Asked whether he thinks Pentagon funds should be used for it, he said, “If it was my choice, I wouldn’t put any of that money into the arch,” Politico reported.

Simpson said he hopes that if the White House decides to go ahead with the arch, “they would come to Congress and ask for an appropriation for it if they’re going to use appropriated dollars to do it.”

Trump announces military purpose of Triumphal Arch

Trump wrote in a Sunday Truth Social post that he had agreed, at the military’s “strong request,” to convert the arch into a military complex.

He said the change was being made for national security purposes.

The announcement changes the purpose of a project originally presented as a monumental tribute marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Federal planning documents say the arch is meant to mark the anniversary and will be built at Memorial Circle, where Arlington Memorial Bridge meets Memorial Avenue.

The National Park Service says the location serves as a ceremonial gateway to Arlington National Cemetery and connects the capital to a corridor honoring valor, sacrifice, and American heritage.

At 250 feet, the structure would be more than twice as tall as the 100-foot Lincoln Memorial. Earlier designs also included a viewing deck and a winged Lady Liberty figure.

Arches in history often have military roots

Trump has argued that Washington, unlike other major capitals, lacks a triumphal arch.

The form of the particular monument has ancient military roots. Roman triumphal arches were erected to commemorate military victories and honor generals or emperors.

The National Park Service says the National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge follows the same tradition while honoring George Washington and the Continental Army.