Kennedy Family Challenges Trump’s Arlington Arch Plans

Members of the Kennedy family have voiced strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposal for a 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery. Describing the project as a potential ‘permanent denigration’ of their relatives’ grave sites, the family filed a court objection on Tuesday.

The objection, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the children of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, seeks an injunction against the planned construction. The arch is intended to be situated on a traffic circle between the cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, which the family fears would cast shadows on the grave sites of Senator Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy, and other family members. Additionally, the view cherished by the former president would reportedly be obstructed.

The Kennedys wrote, “That constitutes nothing less than a permanent denigration of the Kennedy Gravesites and the final resting place for Plaintiffs’ parents and grandparents.”

As of November 5, a judge temporarily halted construction following legal disputes. Newsweek attempted to contact the White House for remarks on Tuesday evening.

Reasoning Behind the Kennedy Plea

The Kennedy family supports a broader case initiated by Washington, D.C., against the National Park Service. They argue that under the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, the arch should have required Congressional authorization as it qualifies as a commemorative work.

Significant concerns include the arch’s impact on the area and the lines of sight between the cemetery and the National Mall. The filing warns of ‘irrevocable adverse impacts’ if development proceeds, particularly affecting family grave sites.

The filing noted, “The Kennedy Gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery should remain unimpeded and unhampered as a solemn and sacred memorial to the legacy of the Kennedy family.”

The Kennedy family demands the District Court declare the arch’s construction illegal and seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction against further construction efforts.

President Kennedy’s Connection to the Site

The complaint highlights President John F. Kennedy’s fondness for the site that eventually became the family memorial. He admired the view overlooking the capital, a sentiment captured when he reportedly said, “I could stay here forever.” The placement of his grave was intentional, aligned from Arlington House, across Memorial Bridge, to the Lincoln Memorial. An ‘eternal flame’ continues to burn at his site as part of the memorial.

In their court plea, the Kennedys expressed how they frequently visit the memorial during early mornings to avoid large crowds and appreciate the view. The planned arch, they stress, would ‘fundamentally disrupt’ this cherished setting.