Tammy Duckworth, Senator from Illinois, on Friday urged the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to maintain the security of Washington's airspace by rejecting former President Donald Trump's plans. Trump intends to convert the Arc of Triumph into a military base from which drones would operate.
Duckworth's Security Concerns
In a letter to Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, and Brian Bedford, FAA Administrator, Duckworth explicitly stated that this plan could pose a threat to the safety of Washington residents as well as the airspace of the city. She expressed concern that converting this arc into a military base would not only harm national security but also damage Washington's public image.
Read more: Victory of right-wing extremists in the elections of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Response to Trump's Plan
In part of the letter, Duckworth referred to the history of the Arc of Triumph, considering it a symbol of victory and American values. She emphasized that this arc should be preserved as a historical and cultural site rather than being converted into a military base. Duckworth also pointed out the potential consequences of this plan on tourism and the local economy, stating that this change could lead to a decrease in visitors to this historical site.
This request from Duckworth comes as Trump is attempting to implement his projects in Washington. Duckworth also noted that this action could undermine public trust in government institutions and may cause citizens to feel more insecure.
Political and Social Consequences
This issue has quickly turned into a political matter, eliciting various reactions from other officials and analysts. Some politicians have supported Duckworth's plan, viewing it as a step towards preserving the security and cultural history of the country. Conversely, Trump's supporters believe that this plan could help strengthen the military presence of the United States in the capital.
Ultimately, Duckworth called for the cooperation of all institutions to prevent the implementation of this plan and emphasized that the preservation of security and cultural history should take priority. She hopes that, considering the concerns raised, the Pentagon and FAA will heed this request and refrain from such plans.
Read more: Stanford admitted to using artificial intelligence to change the gender and race of student images · Trump's plan to militarize the Arc of Triumph faced negative reactions
