Trump fires back at protesters opposing $250M triumphal arch: ‘Do these people not have jobs?’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump recently lashed out at protesters in Washington, baffled by their opposition to his $250 million plan for a triumphal arch.

He posted photos of the demonstrators; one showed Sen Tammy Duckworth in the middle of the protest.

Trump called out those who have opposed the arch’s construction at Memorial Circle.

Critics have slammed the idea as a “vanity project,” warning that the massive structure would obstruct the view of Arlington National Cemetery.

Trump’s triumphal arch draws protest

“Do these people not have jobs?” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Protesters in the pictures can be seen holding signs with messages like “veterans over vanity” and “arch of corruption.”

One sign also reads “sacred space no snipers,” referring to Trump’s claim that the arch will be a military complex used to dock drones and serve as a perch for snipers.

Duckworth, one of the project’s main critics, worries the structure could make Washington’s already complicated airspace even more challenging.

Local veterans and community groups also oppose the project. Rep Mike Simpson, a Republican from Idaho, argued that using military money for it does not make sense.

“If it was my choice, I wouldn’t put any of that money into the arch,” Simpson told reporters last month, suggesting the military is already short on funding.

Earlier this year, the US Commission of Fine Arts, made up of seven members appointed by Trump, signed off on the design. Not long after, a group of Vietnam War veterans sued to block the construction.

Trump’s Washington renovation plans face opposition

Since Trump returned to the White House, he has zeroed in on a handful of major renovation projects. One of the most talked-about is the triumphal arch.

He has also pitched building a new White House ballroom, tearing down the East Wing, updating the Rose Garden and helipad, altering the Kennedy Center and adding statues to Freedom Plaza.

The arch stands out, mostly because of where Trump wants it right in the heart of Washington, DC, and how it fits into his larger vision for the city.

People who support the project see it as a bold move. Others remain unconvinced, raising concerns about its cost, purpose and potential impact on the city’s landscape.

Lately, Trump hasn’t shied away from taking aim at protesters. He has put them at the heart of the debate, particularly as opposition groups push back against the construction plans. Of all these projects, the arch stands out.

It has become a symbol of Trump’s determination to leave a visible mark on some of Washington’s most iconic federal spaces.