From TIME · Miranda Jeyaretnam · · 1m 40s
Kennedys sue to block Trump's triumphal arch
Nine Kennedy family members filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday to stop construction of a 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, saying it would obstruct views of their relatives' graves.
In brief
Nine Kennedy family members filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday to stop construction of a 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, saying it would obstruct views of their relatives' graves. The Kennedy family sued to block Trump's 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, arguing it would obstruct graves of…
Kennedy family files lawsuit
Nine members of the Kennedy family filed a motion in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to block construction of President Donald Trump's arch.
The arch would obstruct graves
The plaintiffs argue the 250-foot arch would obstruct views of the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame and Kennedy gravesites from the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
Who is buried at Arlington
The plaintiffs include children and grandchildren of Sens. Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy. Other Kennedys buried there include JFK, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Robert F. Kennedy's wife Ethel.
The family's core argument
Rory Kennedy and Maxwell Kennedy said the arch would cast shadows across graves and undermine democratic principles protecting Arlington as hallowed ground for generations to come.
“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.”
Other lawsuits already filed
The Kennedy filing seeks to join a lawsuit filed last month by D.C. and Virginia arguing the arch violates historic preservation laws and lacks congressional authorization.
Public hearing and approval
During a nine-hour public hearing on Thursday, dozens testified against the arch. The National Capital Planning Commission approved it anyway, and the National Park Service authorized construction late Thursday.
Judge blocks construction temporarily
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan blocked any construction-related activity for fourteen days. Trump has said he wants the arch erected before he leaves office.
The main idea
The Kennedy family sued to block Trump's 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, arguing it would obstruct graves of JFK and other relatives and violate historic preservation laws.
