The Kennedy family has filed a lawsuit to halt the construction of a triumphal arch proposed by President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., arguing that the structure would obstruct views of John F. Kennedy's grave and thousands of veteran graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The 250ft (76m) arch, known as the "Arc de Trump," has received approval from the National Capital Planning Commission but was temporarily halted by a U.S. judge last week due to ongoing litigation. According to the complaint filed by the Kennedy family and other plaintiffs, the arch would damage "historically significant sightlines" and permanently cast shadows over gravesites, including those of Kennedy family members. The lawsuit also claims that the National Park Service and Interior Department authorized construction without necessary congressional approval. The so-called Arc de Trump is one of President Trump's projects to redesign the capital city, intended to commemorate the country's 250th anniversary.
The Kennedy family's complaint seeks to intervene in two other lawsuits filed by conservationists and veterans seeking to halt construction. The plaintiffs argue that the arch would permanently denigrate the gravesites and fundamentally alter the experience of visiting the memorials, including those of hundreds of thousands of U.S. veterans. Nine members of the Kennedy political dynasty are part of the lawsuit, including seven children of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, their grandson - former Democrat congressman Joe Kennedy - and Ted Kennedy's son Edward Kennedy Jr. The lawsuit does not include Trump cabinet official Robert F Kennedy Jr.
The White House has expressed disappointment over the Kennedy family's involvement in litigation against the arch "intended to honor our heroes who rest in Arlington Cemetery." White House spokesman Davis R Ingle said, "We will continue making the case for this beautiful and fitting monument and are confident we will be fully vindicated as this litigation proceeds." The judge has ruled that there should be a 14-day pause before any work can start on the arch while litigation plays out.
The family of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy has filed a lawsuit to block construction of a 250ft triumphal arch proposed by President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., alleging that the structure would obstruct views of Kennedy's grave and thousands of veteran graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The so-called Arc de Trump, one of President Trump's projects to redesign the capital city, has been temporarily halted by a U.S. judge due to ongoing litigation. According to the complaint filed by the Kennedy family and other plaintiffs, the arch would damage "historically significant sightlines" and permanently cast shadows over gravesites, including those of Kennedy family members.
Nine members of the Kennedy political dynasty are part of the lawsuit, including seven children of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, their grandson - former Democrat congressman Joe Kennedy - and Ted Kennedy's son Edward Kennedy Jr. The lawsuit seeks to intervene in two other lawsuits filed by conservationists and veterans seeking to halt construction. According to the complaint, the National Park Service and Interior Department authorized construction without necessary congressional approval.
The White House has expressed disappointment over the Kennedy family's involvement in litigation against the arch "intended to honor our heroes who rest in Arlington Cemetery." White House spokesman Davis R Ingle said, "We will continue making the case for this beautiful and fitting monument and are confident we will be fully vindicated as this litigation proceeds." The judge has ruled that there should be a 14-day pause before any work can start on the arch while litigation plays out.
The Kennedy family has filed a lawsuit to halt construction of a triumphal arch proposed by President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., alleging that the structure would obstruct views of John F. Kennedy's grave and thousands of veteran graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The so-called Arc de Trump, one of President Trump's projects to redesign the capital city, has been temporarily halted by a U.S. judge due to ongoing litigation. According to the complaint filed by the Kennedy family and other plaintiffs, the arch would damage "historically significant sightlines" and permanently cast shadows over gravesites, including those of Kennedy family members.
The lawsuit seeks to intervene in two other lawsuits filed by conservationists and veterans seeking to halt construction. The White House has expressed disappointment over the Kennedy family's involvement in litigation against the arch "intended to honor our heroes who rest in Arlington Cemetery." According to White House spokesman Davis R Ingle, "We will continue making the case for this beautiful and fitting monument and are confident we will be fully vindicated as this litigation proceeds." The judge has ruled that there should be a 14-day pause before any work can start on the arch while litigation plays out.