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Kennedy family sues to block Trump's Arlington memorial arch
Nine members of the Kennedy family have filed a motion to intervene in federal lawsuits seeking to permanently block the construction of a 250-foot (76-meter) memorial arch proposed by President Donald Trump. The family, consisting of children and grandchildren of Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy, argues that the structure would cast permanent shadows over the gravesites of their relatives, including President John F. Kennedy, at Arlington National Cemetery.
The legal filing contends that the arch would obstruct historically significant sightlines from the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the Kennedy graves and the eternal flame. Lawyers representing the family, including Norm Eisen and the Democracy Defenders Fund, stated that the project would constitute a “permanent denigration” of the sacred sites and fundamentally alter the experience for millions of annual visitors.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan previously issued a 14-day prohibition on breaking ground for the structure. While the Trump administration maintains the arch is intended to honor American heroes, opponents argue that only Congress has the constitutional authority to permit such an intrusion. The project faces further scrutiny following recent midterm elections in which Democrats gained control of Congress.
Entities
Arlington National Cemetery · Democracy Defenders Fund · Donald Trump · Kennedy family · Tanya Chutkan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan prohibited the Trump administration from breaking ground on the structure for 14 days. www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.independent.co.uk · www.bangordailynews.com · freerepublic.com · whdh.com · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] President Trump intends to complete the arch before leaving office in two years. kesq.com · abc17news.com · keyt.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The arch would obstruct views of the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington House, and the Robert E. Lee Memorial. kesq.com · abc17news.com · keyt.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] The proposed arch would cast shadows over the gravesites of President John F. Kennedy and other Kennedy relatives. freerepublic.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.independent.co.uk · www.alternet.org · www.bangordailynews.com · +4 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Kennedy family members involved are children and grandchildren of Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy. www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.independent.co.uk · www.bangordailynews.com · whdh.com · mymotherlode.com
- [● 16 SOURCES] Nine members of the Kennedy family filed a motion in federal court to block the construction of a 250-foot arch. www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.independent.co.uk · www.alternet.org · www.bangordailynews.com · freerepublic.com · +11 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The arch is planned for a traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. freerepublic.com · www.independent.co.uk · www.alternet.org · www.bangordailynews.com · www.perthnow.com.au