Kennedy descendants sue to halt construction of Trump-proposed Arlington memorial arch

Nine members of the Kennedy family filed a motion to intervene in two pending lawsuits seeking to stop a 250-foot memorial arch that President Donald Trump plans to erect near Arlington National Cemetery. The plaintiffs, who are children and grandchildren of former senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy, argue that the structure would cast a shadow over the brothers' graves and "fundamentally alter the experience of visiting the gravesites," calling the site a "solemn and sacred memorial to the legacy of the Kennedy family."

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan previously ordered a 14-day pause on any ground-breaking for the arch. Following that order, the White House launched a website presenting the arch as a memorial to U.S. military history.

The Kennedy relatives are represented by attorney Norm Eisen and the Democracy Defenders Fund. They contend that, if built, the arch would prevent future generations from appreciating both the Kennedy graves and the memorial as intended.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded that the arch is meant to honor the heroes buried at Arlington and warned that the judiciary should not be used to politicize the project.

The arch’s promotional site describes it as "an American vision finally realized," noting inscriptions such as "One Nation Under God" and "Golden Age of America," as well as gold doors, sculptural panels and a golden cherub. The site does not disclose a budget, though some estimates have suggested costs could reach $100 million.

President Trump has recently highlighted other commemorative projects, including plans to revamp the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool and a proposal to designate the Oval Office as a national monument.