Kennedy family sues to block Trump's 250ft arch at Arlington

Summarised from 8 outlets · Updated 11 Nov, 19:45 · Archive

Nine Kennedy family members have sued to block construction of President Trump's 250-foot triumphal arch, arguing it would cast shadows over their relatives' graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

Nine members of the Kennedy family have sued the Trump administration on Tuesday seeking to block construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch planned for near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The gilded structure, topped with a winged Liberty-like figure and modelled on Paris's Arc de Triomphe, would be built near a traffic circle across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.

The Kennedy plaintiffs argue the arch would obstruct the clear sightline to the Kennedy gravesites and 'fundamentally alter the experience' of visiting them. They contend it would cast shadows over the graves of former President John F Kennedy and his brothers Robert F Kennedy and Edward M Kennedy, as well as over the Eternal Flame commemorating JFK. The family says the structure would also cast shadows across the graves of more than 400,000 veterans and family members buried at Arlington.

The nine plaintiffs are children and grandchildren of Robert and Ethel Kennedy and Edward M Kennedy, including Rory Kennedy, Maxwell Kennedy, Joseph P Kennedy II, Joseph P Kennedy III and Edward M Kennedy Jr. 'A towering arch casting shadows across the graves of our father, mother, and uncles, as well as the graves of so many who have served our country, would also cast a shadow over our democratic principles,' Rory Kennedy and Maxwell Kennedy said in a statement.

The family argues that only Congress has constitutional authority to authorise such a structure at Arlington. Their legal motion, filed by veteran Washington lawyer Norm Eisen and the centre-left Democracy Defenders Fund, contends that the National Park Service and Department of the Interior authorised the project without required congressional approval. The lawsuit challenges the destruction of what it describes as intentionally designed, century-old lines of sight between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House.

The Kennedy family's intervention adds to growing legal opposition to the project. Vietnam War veterans, a historian, the District of Columbia, Virginia and Arlington County have also filed lawsuits seeking to block construction. Last week, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan prohibited the Trump administration from breaking ground for 14 days following the string of legal challenges, even after the National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-4 to approve the project.

The Trump administration says the arch would not be completed until after the end of Trump's second term. A White House spokesperson said it was 'unfortunate' that Kennedy family members had joined the litigation against the arch, which the administration describes as 'intended to honour our heroes who rest in Arlington Cemetery' and designed to commemorate 250 years of American independence. Trump has previously claimed the structure would be converted into a 'top-grade military complex' with drone and ammunition storage and customised sniper facilities.

How it is being reported

• Kennedy relatives join the fight against Trump's arch, alleging harm to JFK's graveNine members of the Kennedy family have joined the legal fight against Trump's D.C. arch, arguing it would disrupt views and cast shadows over their ancestors' graves at Arlington National Cemetery.NPR · 11 Nov, 16:59
• Multiple Kennedy family members seek to join legal battle against Trump's triumphal archKennedy family members are seeking to join legal actions challenging plans to build President Donald Trump's triumphal arch which he wants built in Washington D.C.Fox News · 11 Nov, 15:08
• Kennedy family sues Trump arch saying it will leave JFK flame in shadowsThe Kennedy family says that Trump’s planned 250-foot arch amounts to ‘illegal interference with Arlington National Cemetary’Independent World · 11 Nov, 09:24
• Kennedy family members ask judge to block Trump’s 250-foot Arlington memorial archThe nine Kennedy family members who filed suit are children and grandchildren of Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy.New York Post · 11 Nov, 07:57
• Kennedys sue to block Trump's arch, arguing it would cast shadow on JFK's graveNine members of the political dynasty say the 250ft structure would cast a shadow on gravesites.BBC World · 11 Nov, 03:44
• Kennedy family joins US lawsuits to block Trump’s ‘unlawful’ arch planKennedy dynasty has filed a motion to stop Trump's arch from obscuring JFK Eternal Flame and family gravesites.Al Jazeera · 11 Nov, 03:21
• Kennedy family members join lawsuit to block Trump's triumphal archSeveral members of the Kennedy family have joined the legal battle to prevent President Trump from building a large triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery.CBS News · 11 Nov, 01:23
• Kennedys sue to block Trump’s gilded arch, saying it would ‘cast shadow’ over JFK grave site250ft arch risks ‘permanently diminishing’ memorials to ex-president and relatives at Arlington cemetery, lawsuit says Nine members of the Kennedy family political dynasty have sued the Trump administration , asking a federal judge to block the president’s plan to build a towering, gilded arch they say would cast a shadow over their relatives’ graves in Arlington national cemetery. The family’s complaint states that the 25oft triumphal arch, topped with a Lady Liberty-like winged figure, would “obstruct the clear sightline of the Kennedy Gravesites” and “fundamentally alter the experience of…Guardian World · 11 Nov, 01:09

In this story: Kennedy family · Donald Trump · Arlington National Cemetery · John F Kennedy · Robert F Kennedy · Edward M Kennedy · Washington DC · Tanya Chutkan

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