Department of Justice appeals Kennedy Center ruling ahead of deadline to remove Donald Trump's name
A US judge had ordered the administration to remove President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center within 14 days. However, the Department of Justice has filed a notice of appeal to challenge this ruling, which deemed Trump's attempt to rename and close the center for renovations as illegal.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper made the initial ruling two weeks ago, stating that references to the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" and "Trump Kennedy Center" must be removed from the building, grounds, and website. Although Trump's name has been taken down from the center's website and YouTube page, it remains on the building itself.
The Trump administration had stated they were assessing their litigation strategy, while Trump appeared to back away from his planned renovation on social media. He also attacked the judge overseeing the case, stating he wanted Congress to decide the center's future.
Judge Cooper ruled that the rebranding of the Kennedy Center as the "Trump Kennedy Center" was unlawful, as only Congress can change the name given by federal statute in 1964. The judge also criticized the Kennedy Center Board's decision to close the center for two years, calling it "ill-informed" and "seemingly preordained."
The lawsuit was brought by Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Board of Trustees, after Trump announced the center's renaming in December. The Board, now chaired by Trump, had voted to add his name to the building, which was then added to signage.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper made the initial ruling two weeks ago, stating that references to the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" and "Trump Kennedy Center" must be removed from the building, grounds, and website. Although Trump's name has been taken down from the center's website and YouTube page, it remains on the building itself.
The Trump administration had stated they were assessing their litigation strategy, while Trump appeared to back away from his planned renovation on social media. He also attacked the judge overseeing the case, stating he wanted Congress to decide the center's future.
Judge Cooper ruled that the rebranding of the Kennedy Center as the "Trump Kennedy Center" was unlawful, as only Congress can change the name given by federal statute in 1964. The judge also criticized the Kennedy Center Board's decision to close the center for two years, calling it "ill-informed" and "seemingly preordained."
The lawsuit was brought by Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Board of Trustees, after Trump announced the center's renaming in December. The Board, now chaired by Trump, had voted to add his name to the building, which was then added to signage.
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