Let’s be clear: No matter what President Donald Trump may say, the national security of the United States does not require the construction of a massive arch in the middle of a traffic circle.
In a saner world, this would not need to be said. But on Friday, the president announced a new purpose for the 250-foot-tall tourist attraction he is seeking to build in the roundabout at the end of Washington’s Memorial Bridge. The arch will double as a “military complex,” Trump said, housing drones and ammo while providing a platform for snipers.
What possible threat aimed at Arlington National Cemetery — of all places — requires the construction of a marble-and-gold arch?
Throughout his second term, Trump has repeatedly invoked flimsy national security excuses to justify policy priorities both big and small. The arch might be the most ludicrous example yet: By claiming that this obvious vanity project is in fact a top Pentagon priority, the administration is clearly hoping it can convince U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to reconsider her injunction pausing its construction.
My guess is that the argument will get laughed out of court. But that leaves a bigger issue: Judges have long given presidents vast leeway when it comes to national security decisions. Trump’s obvious abuse of that privilege has started forcing them to rethink that stance, which could make it harder to deal with a real emergency in the future.
