Who are these snipers supposed to protect Washington from?
Today President Trump posted to social media that his planned triumphal arch in Washington near Arlington National Cemetery will also be what he calls a “top grade Military Complex.” He says it will house drones, snipers positioned on the roof and plaza, and large quantities of sniper ammunition.
He claims the military strongly requested it for national security. So far, the administration has not publicly explained what threat the snipers are intended to address. The Pentagon and White House did not provide Reuters an explanation.
There are ordinary security reasons for some of this. Washington has extensive defenses against hostile drones. Counter-snipers routinely protect presidents and major national events.
But this proposal is different. Trump is describing permanent armed infrastructure in a monument at Memorial Circle, the ceremonial gateway between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. The project is still awaiting final federal approval.
Trump has repeatedly spoken this year about Iran’s use of snipers to suppress demonstrations.
In April, he described snipers on rooftops selectively shooting people in a massive protest. He explained how, after several people were killed, panic spread through the crowd and people fled.
In May, he returned to the subject, describing four or five snipers positioned high in buildings above hundreds of thousands of protesters.
And less than three weeks ago, Trump described a crowd of 200,000 people facing three snipers. He said Iran prefers snipers because only a few people have to be shot to stop a protest. He called it “a horrible thing to watch.”
Today the president is proposing permanent sniper positions at one of the most prominent entrances to the nation’s capital.
Who are these snipers supposed to protect Washington from?
