Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center after court order

June 13, 2026

A federal judge ordered the removal of Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center in Washington DC after ruling it was added unlawfully without congressional approval. The removal work began Friday with scaffolding installation but was delayed by thunderstorms until Saturday morning, while the Trump administration's attempts to pause the order were rejected. The controversy arose from Trump's broader renaming efforts across Washington DC and his appointment of himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center board in February 2025.

Who is affected

Donald Trump (president whose name was removed)
The Kennedy Center (performance arts venue ordered to remove the name)
Judge Christopher Cooper (federal district court judge who issued the ruling)
Hands Off the Arts (advocacy group that held a rally)
Kennedy Center trustees (replaced by Trump in February 2025)
Workers performing the removal
Onlookers and rally attendees

What action is being taken

Workers are erecting scaffolding and removing Trump's name from the Kennedy Center building
Long plastic sheeting is being hung to obscure the removal work
The Kennedy Center is removing Trump's name from its website and other materials
Hands Off the Arts is holding a rally outside the Kennedy Center
An appeals court is allowing the removal to proceed pending further arguments

Why it matters

This ruling reinforces the principle that federal memorials established by law cannot be altered without congressional authorization, establishing an important check on executive power. The Kennedy Center is legally designated as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and allowing unilateral renaming would undermine the institution's congressionally-mandated purpose and identity. The case represents a significant legal challenge to Trump's broader efforts to rebrand federal institutions and buildings across the nation's capital, testing the limits of presidential authority over public monuments and cultural venues.

What's next

An appeals court will hear further arguments on the case
The Kennedy Center must remain open during proposed renovations (as blocked by the judge's ruling)

Read full article from source: BBC