Kennedy Center board seeks pause of ruling ordering removal of Trump's name

Key Points:

• President Trump's appointed board at the Kennedy Center is seeking a stay on a court order to remove his name from the venue's facade by Friday, following a ruling that the name change was illegal without Congressional approval.
• U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on May 29 that only Congress can change the Kennedy Center's name and blocked planned renovations, ordering the removal of Trump's name from all references by Friday.
• The Kennedy Center has already removed Trump's name from its website and communications, and many artists and consultants have withdrawn or resigned in protest of the board's earlier renaming of the center to include Trump's name.
• The lawsuit to remove Trump's name was filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty, who is an ex-officio board member, with legal representatives condemning the board's last-minute attempt as lacking legal merit.
• Since Trump's return to office, he replaced the Kennedy Center's leadership with a board of trustees he appointed, increasing his influence over the venue and programming, including events favorable to the Trump administration.