Trump Arch Plan Advances

What happened

The Trump administration moved ahead with plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery after a federal preservation council ended required talks on nearby historic sites. Trump has recast the arch as a "Military Complex" that would store drones, sniper ammunition and other equipment for national security. The site sits just outside the cemetery and about 4 miles from Reagan National Airport. The review covered possible harm to 42 historic properties, but the council said local historic officers rejected mitigation plans and questioned the Park Service's work. The FAA says the arch is not a flight hazard; Sen. Tammy Duckworth says it is dangerous. Key operating details remain undisclosed.

From the left

Left-leaning outlets framed the arch as a self-glorifying project made stranger by its military turn. AlterNet called the idea "absurd" and treated the weapons plan as evidence of vanity. Slate portrayed national security as a pretext for clearing legal obstacles. New Republic tied that move to courts deferring to executive security claims. AlterNet also stressed unanswered Pentagon backing.