Kennedy relatives file motion to stop construction of Trump memorial arch
Family members of the late presidents argue that a proposed 250-foot structure would overshadow the gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery and alter the visitor experience.
By Evelyn Adeyemi ·
Nine members of the prominent Kennedy political family have asked a federal judge to halt the construction of a massive memorial arch planned by the Trump administration. The relatives argue that the 250-foot structure, which stands approximately 76 metres tall, would cast a significant shadow over the gravesites of their ancestors at Arlington National Cemetery.
The family members filed a motion to intervene in two existing legal cases that already seek to block the project. In their legal arguments, the relatives stated that the shadow cast by the arch would fundamentally change the experience of visitors paying respects at the gravesites. They described the planned construction as a permanent denigration of the memorial sites dedicated to John F. Kennedy and his brothers.
The nine plaintiffs are children and grandchildren of Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy. Both men served as U.S. Senators and were brothers to President John F. Kennedy. The three men are buried near the eternal flame that marks JFK's grave. This cluster of memorials is a major attraction for the millions of people who visit the Arlington cemetery annually.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary order last week prohibiting the administration from breaking ground on the structure for a period of 14 days. This legal pause has coincided with the administration's eagerness to commence work on the project, which had been temporarily blocked in previous proceedings.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded to the new legal filing by expressing surprise that the Kennedy family had joined the litigation. He stated that the project is intended to honour the heroes resting in Arlington Cemetery. Ingle added that the judiciary should not be used to politicize a structure designed to unite the nation.
Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, did not join this specific lawsuit. His relationship with many of his relatives is described as fractured, adding a layer of complexity to the family dynamics surrounding the legal challenge.
The arch is part of a broader set of initiatives undertaken by President Trump to alter the capital city to his preferences. These projects include the renovation of a storied public golf course and plans to potentially demolish the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The White House recently launched a new website to showcase the arch, which is designed to feature gold ornamentation and grey granite.
The proposed location for the arch is between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. As Democrats take control of Congress in early January following the midterm elections, these presidential projects may face increased scrutiny from lawmakers.
The Kennedy family is represented by veteran Washington lawyer Norm Eisen and the Democracy Defenders Fund. Eisen and his organization have previously litigated against the plans for the Kennedy Center and represented a man who successfully challenged prosecution related to an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. That incident occurred after Trump ordered renovations for the monument through a no-bid contract.
