Kennedys fight shadow of Trump monument
Nine members of the Kennedy family have filed a lawsuit to stop President Trump's plans to build a 250-foot-tall triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, claiming it would cast a permanent shadow over JFK's grave.
The relatives, including children and grandchildren of JFK's brothers Robert and Edward Kennedy, filed court documents on Tuesday arguing the planned monument would "permanently cast a shadow" over the gravesites and obstruct the view of the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame from the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
Legal Challenge
Just days before the Kennedy filing, federal judge Tanya Chutkan temporarily blocked construction while considering objections to the project's legality. The Kennedy family has also filed a motion to join existing lawsuits against the project.
The Arch will also obstruct the clear sightline of the Kennedy Gravesites and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame, in Arlington National Cemetery, from the Arlington Memorial Bridge, destroying an essential element of the Gravesites' design.
Trump's Vision
Trump has touted the project as "the greatest and most beautiful triumphal arch, anywhere in the world." The administration argues Congress authorized a monument at the site in 1925 when it approved plans for Arlington Memorial Bridge. They've launched a website showcasing the design for a towering white stone and gold structure.
The arch is one of several Trump projects in Washington, including renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, changes to the White House Rose Garden, and additions to the presidential residence. The administration also faces legal opposition over a $400 million ballroom built after demolishing the White House East Wing.
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