Legal challenge to Trump's triumphal arch project in Washington, DC
A judge temporarily halted construction of President Trump's planned triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery shortly after a federal panel granted approval. Descendants of President John F. Kennedy then joined a lawsuit seeking to block the project, arguing the arch would cast a shadow over JFK's gravesite. The dispute concerns the project's approval and construction rather than any final determination of its legality.
Current state
Construction of Trump's 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery is halted by a 14-day temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge after a federal panel approved the project 8-4; nine Kennedy family members have now joined the legal challenge, arguing the arch would cast a shadow over JFK's gravesite.
7 sources · 7 reports · Updated 12 Nov 2026
What changed
Nine Kennedys join suit to block Trump's arch over JFK grave
Nine Kennedy family members joined the legal challenge to Trump's 250-foot triumphal arch, arguing it would cast a shadow over JFK's gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery.
Developments
- Key development
Nine members of the Kennedy family joined the legal challenge to block the arch, arguing the 250-foot structure would cast a shadow over JFK's gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery.
- Key development
A federal judge issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting construction of the arch.
- Key development
A federal planning panel approved Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery in an 8-4 vote.
Current story coverage
Earlier coverage
- News Wrap: Judge blocks construction of Trump's triumphal arch for now In our news wrap Friday, Trump's plans to build a massive triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery have been put on hold, two more top officials resigned from the Justice Department, residents along the Georgia-Tennessee border are returning home after record floodwaters receded, Pope Leo started his 12-day tour of Latin America, and Tesla will wind down production of its Cybertruck.
- Judge blocks Trump arch hours after federal panel approval Ahead of the vote to grant final approval, the Vietnam vet leading a lawsuit to stop the project called it "frankly blasphemous."