Federal Judge Rejects Trump Administration's Request to Pause Kennedy Center Renaming Order

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Friday refused to suspend a May 29 order that mandates the removal of former President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center's façade. The decision came as the Trump administration sought a stay while a higher court reviews the case.

Judge Christopher Cooper wrote that the administration had not demonstrated a likelihood of success on appeal and had not shown that a stay was in the public interest. He noted that the government had already begun removing the name from official materials, indicating compliance with the injunction.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet ruled on the administration's request for a stay, and it is unclear when a decision will be issued. Workers began installing scaffolding on the building's exterior following the judge's order.

Rep. Joyce Beatty, who sued to block the renaming, argued that the center's statutory name can only be changed by Congress. Her legal team urged the court to deny the administration's last-minute request, stating that the government had initially complied with the order before filing an appeal.

The Justice Department has been asked for comment on the ruling.