Kennedy family opposes Trump's arch project

Nine members of the Kennedy family asked a federal judge to allow them to join a lawsuit against the construction of the triumphal arch in Washington, which was proposed by US President Donald Trump. Relatives believe that the construction will interfere with the review of family memorials at Arlington National Cemetery, Bloomberg reported, citing court documents.

The corresponding petition was filed on Tuesday, November 10. It was sent by the children and grandchildren of former Senators Robert and Edward Kennedy, brothers of assassinated President John F. Kennedy. They argue that the arch will close the view of the burial sites of family members, including the eternal flame at the tomb of John F. Kennedy, and change the perception of the memorial complex.

The 76-meter triumphal arch was presented in April 2026. According to the documents, the structure is planned to be erected at the memorial interchange at Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, opposite the Lincoln Memorial. According to Bloomberg, Kennedy's relatives believe the construction requires congressional approval, which the administration has not received.

This is not the first attempt to challenge the project in court. In early November, the District of Columbia and the state of Virginia filed two lawsuits in federal court demanding to stop the construction of the triumphal arch. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from starting construction for 14 days.

In turn, the White House noted that Congress authorized the construction of the structure more than a hundred years ago, along with the construction of a bridge over the Potomac River. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegset and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the arch would be used to defend against drone attacks.