President Trump said the arch he plans to build in Washington, D.C., will serve a dual purpose as a military complex, according to remarks reported Monday, September 21, 2026, by NPR. The disclosure arrives as the president confronts resistance to several construction initiatives he has proposed for the nation's capital.
The president described the structure as incorporating snipers and weaponry as part of its military function. The remarks were made during an interview with NPR's Franco Ordoñez and Steve Inskeep, the outlet reported.
The comments add a new dimension to the debate over the president's building agenda in Washington, which has already drawn scrutiny. By framing the arch as a military installation rather than a purely commemorative monument, the president signaled that the project would carry a security role in addition to any symbolic purpose.
NPR reported the president's remarks on Monday, September 21, 2026. The interview was conducted by Franco Ordoñez and Steve Inskeep.
