The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts faces an imminent deadline to remove President Donald Trump’s name following a court ruling that found the institution’s board lacked the authority to make the change.
On Friday, a federal judge rejected efforts to delay an order issued last month, leaving the Kennedy Center with little time to comply, according to the Associated Press. The ruling centers on the legal authority governing the nationally recognized arts institution and whether its leadership could alter its name without congressional approval.
According to CNN, the Kennedy Center has until 11:59 p.m. Friday to remove Trump’s name from the building.
What To Know
The legal back and forth has drawn national attention because of the Kennedy Center’s status as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.
The court previously determined that changes to the institution’s name fall under congressional authority rather than the discretion of the board. Efforts by Kennedy Center officials to block or postpone the order were unsuccessful, allowing the ruling to remain in effect as the deadline approaches.
The decision represents a significant setback for the effort to keep Trump’s name on the center. With appeals denied and the deadline looming, the institution is expected to comply with the court’s order, as crews and scaffolding were seen outside the building Friday evening, CNN reports.
In a lengthy post after last month’s ruling to remove his name and block plans to close the venue for renovations, Trump said in part, “based on the fact that the Radical Left Democrats care more about opposing your favorite President, ME, than saving a dying Performing Arts Center, almost all of which lose large amounts of money throughout the Country, we are going to be working with Congress to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it.”
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
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