A federal judge declined to pause an order requiring the Kennedy Center to remove President Donald Trump’s name from the building unless the center appeals.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A federal judge on Friday rejected the Kennedy Center’s request to temporarily halt an order requiring President Donald Trump’s name to be removed from the Washington performing arts venue.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper denied the center’s bid to pause his earlier ruling, leaving the Kennedy Center with the choice of complying with the order or seeking an appeal. Cooper previously ruled that Trump’s name had been added to the building illegally and said only Congress has authority to change the facility’s name.
The order required references to Trump to be removed by Friday.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center did not immediately comment on the latest ruling. Workers were seen erecting scaffolding around part of the building where Trump’s name appears.
Cooper’s ruling last month restored the venue’s name to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, or Kennedy Center, and ordered references to Trump removed. Late Thursday, the center’s Trump-appointed board made a last-minute effort to keep his name on the facade, but Cooper refused to stay the order.
A June 4 memo from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel instructed staff that email signatures, letterhead and other official documents must use “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”
The center’s website has already dropped Trump’s name. An earlier email to members promoting ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony also came from the Kennedy Center without Trump’s name included.
Trump had paid little attention to the Kennedy Center during much of his first term, but he has exercised broad influence over the institution since returning to office. About one month into his second term, he removed the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a board of trustees that named him chairman.
Cooper’s earlier ruling also blocked the administration from shutting down the arts and cultural venue for major renovations. Those renovations had been scheduled to begin in July and last two years.
Unless the Kennedy Center appeals, Friday’s decision clears the way for Trump’s name to be removed from the building under Cooper’s order.
Original article
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