Kennedy relatives seek to join challenge to Trump’s Arlington arch

Nine members of the Kennedy family have asked to join two legal cases seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s planned memorial arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

In a proposed complaint filed on 10 November, they argue that the roughly 76-metre (250ft) arch would cast a shadow over the family’s graves and obstruct the view from Arlington Memorial Bridge towards the graves and the eternal flame at John F Kennedy’s resting place.

The relatives include seven children and a grandson of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, as well as Edward Kennedy Jr, the son of Senator Edward Kennedy. Robert and Edward were brothers of the former president and are buried near him at Arlington.

The family also argues that the project lacks the necessary approval from Congress. The Trump administration has maintained that Congress authorised a memorial at the site decades ago.

The proposed Independence Arch would stand at Memorial Circle, between the Lincoln Memorial and the cemetery. The National Capital Planning Commission approved the plans by eight votes to four on 5 November.

Later that day, Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered a 14-day halt to construction and related work at the site. That order followed a request from Washington DC and Virginia, before the Kennedy family’s application to join the cases.

White House spokesman Davis R Ingle told the BBC that the arch was intended to honour those buried at Arlington. He said it was unfortunate that family members had opposed it, adding: “The judiciary should not be abused to politicize a structure designed to unite our nation.”