The addition of President Donald Trump’s name to the facade of Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has again been blocked by a district court ruling.
The court ruled that, as long as the previous order remains in effect, the board cannot implement measures that conflict with it. The board’s decision to add a new inscription to the facade recognizing Trump’s contribution and rename the plaza in front of the center after Trump was also covered by the ruling.
60-day notice required for new inscriptions
Under the ruling, the defendants must notify the court in writing at least 60 days before placing any inscription or expression of appreciation concerning Trump, the Kennedy Center Foundation or the center’s fundraising initiatives.
The court described the new regulation adopted by the board to circumvent the previous order as “verbal gymnastics.” The ruling emphasized that the earlier order must be enforced.
Earlier inscription bearing Trump’s name was removed
An earlier attempt to add Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center facade also failed. The inscription was removed about six months after the court ruling.
Following that development, the center’s board decided to use different wording on the facade referring to the president in order to recognize Trump’s contribution.
The U.S. Department of Justice had previously threatened that the building could be demolished if Trump’s name was not allowed to remain there permanently.