In a significant development, nine members of the Kennedy family have petitioned a federal court in Washington, D.C., seeking to join ongoing legal efforts against President Donald Trump’s proposed “triumphal” arch. The family contends that the arch’s design and location would cast a shadow over the graves of their relatives at Arlington National Cemetery.
The planned construction site, situated in Memorial Circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, would obstruct the visual alignment between the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, which the Kennedys describe as an integral aspect of the Memorial landscape.
This legal challenge pits the iconic Kennedy family against Trump once again, following previous disputes over changes Trump attempted to implement at the Kennedy Center—a battle that culminated in a judge blocking his efforts to add his name to the building.
Among the family members seeking to join the lawsuit are seven of Robert F. Kennedy’s surviving children, excluding Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The request was characterized by Rory Kennedy and Maxwell Kennedy as a protective measure for “sacred spaces” that must remain undisturbed. They argue that Trump’s approach has “violated the laws and procedures established by Congress” meant to safeguard national monuments.
“A towering arch casting shadows across the graves of our father, mother, and uncles,” the siblings stated, “would also cast a shadow over our democratic principles, undermining the safeguards established by our elected representatives to protect this hallowed ground for generations to come.”
The legal action against the proposed arch also involves the District of Columbia and Virginia, as well as Michael Lemmon, a Vietnam War veteran and former U.S. ambassador. The Kennedys believe their family’s unique relationship to the gravesites provides them with a distinct interest in the matter.
“As members of the Kennedy family, [the intervenors] have a particular interest in protecting the Kennedy Gravesites, ensuring that these gravesites remain unimpeded as a solemn and sacred memorial to the legacy of the Kennedy family,” they noted in their filing.
Currently, the arch is envisioned to stand at 250 feet, significantly taller than the Lincoln Memorial. However, a federal judge had halted construction just last week, following a planning board—comprising a majority of Trump-aligned members—approval for the project.
The Arlington area is the final resting place of several notable Kennedy family members, including President John F. Kennedy, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy. The family claims that their involvement in the lawsuit is crucial for protecting these significant sites.
Responding to the legal actions, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle expressed confidence in the administration’s position, stating, “It is unfortunate to see that some members of the Kennedy family have joined the litigation against the Arch as the project is intended to honor our heroes who rest in Arlington Cemetery.” Ingle further lamented the politicization of a structure that aims to unite the nation.
