Nine members of the Kennedy family moved Tuesday to join a lawsuit blocking President Trump’s planned triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, arguing the 250-foot structure would damage sightlines to family gravesites and memorials honoring more than 400,000 veterans.
The plaintiffs are Rory Kennedy, Maxwell Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Courtney Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Joseph P. Kennedy III, and Edward M. Kennedy Jr., according to a release from the Democracy Defenders Fund. Most are children or grandchildren of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy; Edward M. Kennedy Jr. is the son of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
Their complaint states Trump “is attempting to unlawfully erect a massive arch that will permanently cast shadows over and damage historically significant sightlines to the existing gravesites and memorials established in the Kennedy family’s honor at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as to the memorials of hundreds of thousands of fallen American heroes.”
Rory and Maxwell Kennedy issued a statement on behalf of the family laying out their stake in the fight.
“This action is about protecting sacred spaces that belong to the American people. Our parents, Robert and Ethel Kennedy, and our uncles, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Edward M. Kennedy, are laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Our uncle Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., who lost his life serving our country in World War II, is also memorialized there. They are among the more than 400,000 veterans and family members buried or honored on this hallowed ground. We believe Donald Trump has violated the laws and procedures established by Congress to protect this most sacred national memorial. In bringing this lawsuit, we stand for those who can not stand for themselves.”
“Americans from every corner of the country visit Arlington to honor those who served and sacrificed for our nation. 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, undermining the safeguards established by our elected representatives to protect this hallowed ground for generations to come. Our lawsuit asks the administration to respect the sanctity of Arlington National Cemetery, the laws established to protect it, and the rights of all Americans who come here to honor those who have served our country.”
The legal fight is already in motion. Last Friday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting construction, just hours after a federal planning commission had approved the arch project.
The White House pushed back hard on the Kennedys joining the suit. White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital on Wednesday: “An activist district court has temporarily blocked the construction of the long-awaited Arch. 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. The judiciary should not be abused to politicize a structure designed to unite our nation. We will continue making the case for this beautiful and fitting monument and are confident we will be fully vindicated as this litigation proceeds. We look forward to seeing the completion of this magnificent Arch—a tribute to 250 years of American greatness.”
Trump has defended the project partly on military grounds. In a Sept. 20 Truth Social post, he wrote: “At the strong request of the United States Military, and for National Security purposes, I have agreed to convert the magnificent Triumphal Arch, planned since the Civil War Era many years ago, at the Receptive Circle adjoining the Arlington Memorial Bridge, into a top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch, to house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage.”
