Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center after court order

Workers began removing President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center's facade early Saturday, June 14, following a court-ordered deadline that had been set for Friday.

Scaffolding went up Friday around the section bearing Trump's name, but shortly after midnight, the Kennedy Center asked a judge for an extension until noon Saturday, citing thunderstorms that had swept through Washington. The center assured the court that removal work was already underway.

A few hours later, workers covered the scaffolding with tarps and began the removal. They departed the site around 3:30 a.m., though tarps remained, leaving unclear whether all letters had been taken down.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper's ruling stated that only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center's name. The judge also blocked the Trump administration from closing the venue for major renovations planned to begin in July and last two years.

The Kennedy Center had complied with earlier aspects of the ruling: a June 4 memo to staff required email signatures, letterhead, and documents to reflect the name as "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" or "Kennedy Center."

The dispute stems from Trump's return to office. A month into his second term, he ousted the center's previous leadership, replaced it with a new board of trustees, and named himself chairman—then had his name added to the building. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, sued to have it removed, arguing only Congress holds that authority.