The family of former US President John F Kennedy has sued to block construction of a triumphal arch that President Donald Trump plans to build in the nation's capital.

Nine members of the political dynasty argue the 250ft (76m) structure would block the view of Kennedy's grave, as well as the graves of thousands of veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Last week, a US judge temporarily halted the project on the heels of a vote allowing construction to proceed.

The White House said it was "unfortunate" to see that some members of the Kennedy family had joined litigation against an arch "intended to honor our heroes who rest in Arlington Cemetery".

"The judiciary should not be abused to politicize a structure designed to unite our nation," White House spokesman Davis R Ingle said in a statement to the BBC.

"We will continue making the case for this beautiful and fitting monument and are confident we will be fully vindicated as this litigation proceeds," he added.

Last week the project won approval from the National Capital Planning Commission.

But US District Judge Tanya Chutkan then ruled there should be a 14-day pause before any work can start on the arch as litigation plays out.

The Kennedy family filed its complaint under a joint lawsuit brought by the state of Virginia and Washington DC seeking to block construction, arguing that the arch will damage "historically significant sightlines" if erected at the gateway of the cemetery.

The plaintiffs include seven children of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, as well as their grandson - former Democrat congressman Joe Kennedy - and Ted Kennedy's son Edward Kennedy Jr.