Trump's Name Removed from Kennedy Center as Appeals Court Rejects Stay Request

(Central News Agency, Washington, Dec. 12 - international news compilation) A U.S. federal district judge today denied a request to temporarily halt an order requiring the removal of former President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Later, a federal appeals court also rejected the Trump administration's motion to stay the ruling.

At the end of last year, the White House announced that the Kennedy Center's board had 'unanimously voted' to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the 'Trump-Kennedy Center.' Trump had previously replaced Democratic members on the board and personally assumed the chairmanship.

According to Reuters, federal district court Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on May 29 that only Congress has the authority to change the Kennedy Center's name. He ordered that Trump's name be removed from the building's exterior, official website, and all other materials by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today.

The Trump administration appealed the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., requesting a stay of Judge Cooper's order. However, Judge Cooper stated he would not suspend enforcement while the appeal was under review. Later today, the appeals court also denied the administration's request for a stay.

Judge Cooper previously ruled that the Washington, D.C.-based arts venue, established to honor the late President John F. Kennedy, can only be renamed by an act of Congress.

The lawsuit was filed by Ohio Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. Her legal team stated in a joint statement: 'The law is clear: only Congress can change the name of the Kennedy Center.'

Norm Eisen, co-founder of the Democratic-aligned nonprofit 'Democracy Defenders Action,' and Nathaniel Zelinsky of the 'Washington Litigation Group,' said: 'We're watching what Trump will do next, but cornered animals make uglier moves.'

Spokespersons for the Department of Justice, the White House, and the Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In February, Trump announced the Kennedy Center would close for two years for renovations and proposed a broader redevelopment plan to reshape the core memorial complex in Washington, D.C., including constructing a 76-meter-tall arch and a large banquet hall on the site of a demolished building east of the White House. (Compiled by Hsu Hsiang-ping) 1150613