Nine Kennedy family members go to court to stop Trump's 250-foot arch, saying it would shadow JFK's grave

Nine Kennedy family members go to court to stop Trump's 250-foot arch, saying it would shadow JFK's grave.

Nine members of the Kennedy family asked a federal judge on Tuesday to block President Trump's planned 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, arguing it would cast shadows over the graves of John F., Robert F. and Ted Kennedy and the Eternal Flame, the Associated Press and CBS News reported.

The relatives, children and grandchildren of Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy, filed to intervene in two existing lawsuits, including one brought by Washington, D.C., and Virginia. They argue the shadow would "fundamentally alter the experience of visiting the gravesites," according to AP. In a family statement quoted by UPI, Rory Kennedy and Maxwell Kennedy said such an arch "would also cast a shadow over our democratic principles."

The arch would stand at Memorial Circle, across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial. A Washington Post analysis cited in the filing found its shadow would touch cemetery burial sites on 284 days a year and briefly fall on the Eternal Flame on 18 of them, ARLnow reported. Opponents also say it would break the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, which were meant to face each other as a symbol of national reunion after the Civil War.

The administration says the arch would mark 250 years of American independence and argues the plaintiffs lack standing. Last week the National Capital Planning Commission gave final approval, but U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan quickly barred construction for 14 days, finding the plan likely illegal, CBS reported. Plaintiffs are seeking a longer injunction.

Veterans, preservationists and Arlington County have also sued. Trump has said he wants the arch finished before he leaves office.