Members of the distinguished Kennedy family have initiated legal proceedings aimed at halting the construction of President Donald Trump’s 76-meter (250-foot) “triumphal arch” in Washington, D.C. The family asserts that the proposed monument would detract from the sacredness of the graves of their prominent ancestors, including former President John F. Kennedy, who rests alongside his brothers, Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy, at Arlington National Cemetery.
On Tuesday, nine plaintiffs—children and grandchildren of the late senators—filed a motion to intervene in two existing federal lawsuits to prevent the arch’s development, arguing that it would significantly alter the experience for millions of visitors who pay tribute to the Kennedy legacy each year. The plaintiffs contend that the project would disrupt the intentionally designed historic perspective between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House across the Memorial Bridge, a sight that has been preserved for over a century.
The arc, which has been dubbed the “Arc de Trump” by critics, is set to be embellished with granite and gold and was approved by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior without the necessary congressional oversight, according to the plaintiffs. This legal challenge also includes a diverse group of stakeholders, such as Vietnam War veterans and historians, alongside the governments of the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Arlington County, all voicing opposition to the monument’s construction.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan recently issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from commencing construction on the monument for an additional 14 days, in light of the ongoing litigation. The Kennedy family, through spokespersons Rory and Maxwell Kennedy, articulate their position as one centered on “protecting sacred spaces that belong to the American people.” They emphasize the gravesites’ significance, noting that several of their family members are among the over 400,000 veterans and family members honored on this revered ground.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is associated with the Trump administration yet remains estranged from many family members, has not participated in the legal action. This development highlights the tensions surrounding the proposed construction amid an ongoing push for a broader redevelopment of significant sites in Washington, D.C., following a shift in Congressional power after recent midterm elections.
The Kennedy family’s efforts reflect a deeper narrative surrounding the preservation of historical sites that resonate with countless Americans, balancing the need for modernization with the importance of honoring the past.
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