Nine members of the Kennedy family have sued to block construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., opposite Arlington National Cemetery.
The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in D.C. federal court on Tuesday, arguing that the structure will permanently overshadow the grave sites of former President John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and other prominent members of the Kennedy family. Sight lines to those graves will also be obstructed.
“The Kennedy Gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery should remain unimpeded and unhampered as a solemn and sacred memorial to the legacy of the Kennedy family, including Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy — each of whom served with honor and distinction, and sacrificed greatly for their country — as always intended,” the 27-page lawsuit says. “The Arch would significantly damage the memorial to the Kennedys, as well as the heroes who eternally rest at Arlington National Cemetery.”
The complaint seeks to prohibit the Trump administration from approving, authorizing, or constructing the arch without congressional authorization.
The last action taken by the administration concerning the arch was the National Capital Planning Commission’s 8-4 vote that approved the project last Thursday. It was quickly followed by an Obama-appointed federal judge’s ruling that halted all construction plans for two weeks while several lawsuits proceed.
Tuesday’s lawsuit is the fourth legal challenge brought against the president’s highly controversial monument. One of the three prior lawsuits was filed by Washington, D.C., and Virginia late last month.
Democracy Defenders Fund is representing the Kennedy family in its case against the arch.
“We believe Donald Trump has violated the laws and procedures established by Congress to protect this most sacred national memorial,” Rory Kennedy and Maxwell Kennedy said in a statement released by the progressive legal watchdog. “In bringing this lawsuit, we stand for those who can not stand for themselves.”
The remaining plaintiffs are Christopher Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Courtney Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph Kennedy II, Joseph Kennedy III, and Edward Kennedy Jr.
Meanwhile, some of the defendants are Trump, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the Interior Department, and the National Park Service.
TRUMP’S PLANNED ARCH DELAYED AFTER FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
The administration authorized construction for the arch site in Memorial Circle on Nov. 5. The plaintiffs maintain the decision was made unlawfully, as Congress has not approved the project. Whether congressional authorization is necessary will continue to play out in court.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was not mentioned in the lawsuit. He has not spoken publicly about Trump’s proposed arch.