Trump on protesters at site of proposed arch: ‘Do these people not have jobs?’

President Trump on Sunday criticized protesters who gathered in Washington last week to oppose his triumphal arch project .

“Do these people not have jobs?” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social .

The president also shared images of the demonstrators — including one photo with Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) — who have pushed back against the construction of a $250 million arch in Washington’s Memorial Circle. Many critics have called it a “vanity project” and argued the structure would block views of Arlington National Cemetery.

Protesters in the pictures can be seen holding signs with messages like “veterans over vanity” and “arch of corruption.” One sign also reads “sacred space no snipers,” referring to Trump’s claim that the arch will be a military complex used to dock drones and serve as a perch for snipers.

Duckworth, an outspoken critic of the project, has argued the structure would cause potential problems for the already complicated Washington airspace.

The project has also been opposed by a number of veteran and citizen groups in the Washington area. At least one House Republican, Rep. Mike Simpson (Idaho), has also criticized the construction over the potential use of Pentagon funding.

“If it was my choice, I wouldn’t put any of that money into the arch,” Simpson told reporters last month, suggesting the military is already short on funding.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which is made up of seven Trump-appointed panelists, approved the structure’s design earlier this year. A group of Vietnam War veterans later sued to stop its construction.

The arch is one of many renovation projects the president has dedicated his time to in the nation’s capital since returning to the Oval Office.

Other endeavors include the White House ballroom , including the demolition of the East Wing , Rose Garden and helipad upgrades , changes to the Kennedy Center and the installation of statues on the district’s Freedom Plaza.