Nine members of the Kennedy family have sued the Trump administration to block the construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. The family is asking a federal judge to stop the project, which is championed by President Donald Trump.
The proposed structure is a towering, gilded arch topped with a Lady Liberty-like winged figure. Standing at 76 meters, the monumental arch would be located near Arlington National Cemetery.
The lawsuit argues that the arch would obstruct clear sightlines and cast permanent shadows over the graves of Kennedy family members, including President John F. Kennedy's eternal flame and memorial. The family claims the project would fundamentally alter the experience of visiting the site and risks permanently diminishing these memorials. Court filings also state the structure would cast shadows over the graves of American servicemembers.
This legal move sees the Kennedy dynasty joining an existing battle to prevent the construction. Construction of the arch has been temporarily paused by a judge in another case.