A planned “triumphal arch” near some of the most iconic landmarks in Washington, DC, will also be a military complex used to store drones and other military equipment, according to United States President Donald Trump.
uncertain
arch → plan → Trump
The changes were made at the request of the military and for “National Security purposes,” Trump posted on his social media platform on Sunday.
asserted
Trump → make → Sunday
Recommended Stories
list of 3 items- list 1 of 3Trump asks US Supreme Court to allow $400m ballroom project to proceed
- list 2 of 3Trump’s threats to demolish Kennedy Center sparks protest
- list 3 of 3Demonstrators in US form human chain to protest Kennedy Center closure vote
The project would now be used to “house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage
asserted
project → ask → storage
,” Trump said.
asserted
Trump → say → ?
Trump first proposed building a monumental arch last year to mark 250 years of US independence, saying it would be akin to other famed arches like the Arc de Triomphe built in Paris after World War Two, but “the biggest one of all”.
asserted
it → propose → all
On Sunday, the US president did not provide details on the new design, which was previously planned to be a lofty 76-metre-high (250-foot) arch that would tower above many other landmarks in the capital.
asserted
that → provide → capital
By law, the height of new construction in the city is generally restricted.
asserted
height → restrict → city
Trump’s arch project has faced criticism ever since then for its size and location, and for potentially obscuring views of the Arlington National Cemetery, the country’s famed resting place for war veterans.
asserted
project → face → veterans
In February, three veterans of the Vietnam War filed a lawsuit against the plan, saying it would block the view between the cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, erected to honour the US president who oversaw the Civil War.
asserted
who → file → War
The view from the monument, the veterans said in a court filing, was “carefully designed to symbolise the unification of the country after the Civil War and the strength of a united nation”.
asserted
veterans → say → nation
Any major monument around the capital, the lawsuit also argued, would need approval from the US Congress.
asserted
lawsuit → argue → Congress
A judge ordered the Trump administration to provide notice of any work on the monument, but courts have not ruled on the larger challenge yet.
asserted
courts → order → challenge
The Trump-appointed US Commission of Fine Arts, a key agency involved in the project, approved a design in April that featured statues of golden lions at the base of the arch, and golden eagles and a winged angel atop a baroque arch resembling the one in Paris.
asserted
that → appoint → Paris
The Federal Aviation Administration said last week the arch would not be a hazard to the nearby Reagan Washington National Airport, but would need a warning beacon on top.
asserted
arch → say → top
The monumental arch is one of several Trump projects in the capital to receive public pushback.
asserted
arch → receive → pushback
On Saturday, thousands rallied, and some protesters formed a human chain around the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the landmark along the Potomac River waterfront built to honour the 35th US President John F Kennedy.
asserted
protesters → rally → Kennedy
Trump has threatened to demolish the venue if he is not allowed to add his name to it, saying that is the only way to ensure it gets enough funding to survive.
asserted
it → threaten → funding
Trump is also overseeing a $400m controversial project at the White House, where the East Wing of the complex was demolished to make way for an 8,400sq m (90,000sq ft) ballroom with an impenetrable underground bunker.
asserted
Wing → oversee → bunker
Historic preservation groups filed a lawsuit to stop that project, but last month the US Supreme Court allowed construction to continue.
asserted
construction → file → project
Like the triumphal arch, Trump has also justified the need for the new ballroom on national security grounds and has referred to it as a “military complex”.
asserted
Trump → justify → complex
The Aporia
