A ‘generational defense opportunity’: Hegseth offers full-throated endorsement of Trump’s arch amid legal battle

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a federal judge that President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch is a “generational national defense opportunity” in a legal briefing. Hegseth argued the project is vital to protecting the nation’s capital and would serve as a dual-purpose structure for national monument and military utility. The statements were part of the government's submissions in a lawsuit aiming to stop the arch's construction. The court will hold its next hearing on the case on Friday.