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Nine members of the Kennedy family announced on Tuesday they are seeking to join litigation opposing President Donald Trump’s bid to build a triumphal arch in the nation’s capital.
“President Donald J. Trump is attempting to unlawfully erect a massive arch that will permanently cast shadows over and damage historically significant sightlines to the existing gravesites and memorials established in the Kennedy family’s honor at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as to the memorials of hundreds of thousands of fallen American heroes,” their complaint asserted.
FEDERAL JUDGE TEMPORARILY BLOCKS CONSTRUCTION OF TRUMP’S ARLINGTON TRIUMPHAL ARCH HOURS AFTER APPROVAL
President Donald Trump holds a model of the arch as he delivers remarks during a ballroom fundraising dinner in the East Room of the White House on Oct. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“The plaintiffs include Rory Kennedy, Maxwell Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Courtney Kennedy, the Hon. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and the Hon. Joseph P. Kennedy II, children of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy; the Hon. Joseph P. Kennedy III, a grandchild of Robert and Ethel Kennedy; and Edward M. Kennedy, Jr., son of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy,” according to a Democracy Defenders Fund press release.
Rory and Maxwell Kennedy discussed the issue in a statement on the family’s behalf.
“This action is about protecting sacred spaces that belong to the American people. Our parents, Robert and Ethel Kennedy, and our uncles, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Edward M. Kennedy, are laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Our uncle Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., who lost his life serving our country in World War II, is also memorialized there. They are among the more than 400,000 veterans and family members buried or honored on this hallowed ground. We believe Donald Trump has violated the laws and procedures established by Congress to protect this most sacred national memorial. In bringing this lawsuit, we stand for those who can not stand for themselves.
LAWYER SAYS 250-FOOT TRUMP ARCH DISRUPTS HISTORIC SIGHTLINES CHERISHED BY VETERANS SEEKING BURIAL AT ARLINGTON
The graves of President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
“Americans from every corner of the country visit Arlington to honor those who served and sacrificed for our nation. A towering arch casting shadows across the graves of our father, mother, and uncles, as well as the graves of so many who have served our country, would also cast a shadow over our democratic principles, undermining the safeguards established by our elected representatives to protect this hallowed ground for generations to come. Our lawsuit asks the administration to respect the sanctity of Arlington National Cemetery, the laws established to protect it, and the rights of all Americans who come here to honor those who have served our country,” the family’s statement said.
Last Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from breaking ground on the proposed triumphal arch, just hours after a federal planning commission approved the project. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting construction.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle issued this statement on Wednesday to Fox News Digital: “An activist district court has temporarily blocked the construction of the long-awaited Arch. It is unfortunate to see that some members of the Kennedy family have joined the litigation against the Arch as the project is intended to honor our heroes who rest in Arlington Cemetery. The judiciary should not be abused to politicize a structure designed to unite our nation. We will continue making the case for this beautiful and fitting monument and are confident we will be fully vindicated as this litigation proceeds. We look forward to seeing the completion of this magnificent Arch—a tribute to 250 years of American greatness.”
Trump has said the arch would be utilized for military purposes.
TRUMP SAYS NEW ARCH WILL ALSO DEPLOY DRONES, POSITION SNIPERS AND STORE AMMO
A replica of President Trump’s planned “Triumphal Arch” and the U.S. Capitol are seen at the Great American State Fair on July 3, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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“At the strong request of the United States Military, and for National Security purposes, I have agreed to convert the magnificent Triumphal Arch, planned since the Civil War Era many years ago, at the Receptive Circle adjoining the Arlington Memorial Bridge, into a top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch, to house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage,” he said in a Sept. 20 Truth Social post.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.