Kennedy Center Board Seeks to Block Judge’s Ruling to Remove President Donald Trump’s Name

The board of trustees at the Kennedy Center is making a last-minute effort to keep President Donald Trump’s name on the facade of the iconic performing arts building following a court order to remove it.

According to The Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the matter, the board, which is made up of members handpicked by Trump, 79, voted on Thursday to seek a stay of the ruling. The board reportedly filed the formal request later that night. The move comes after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on May 29 that Trump’s name was illegally added to the Kennedy Center, arguing that only Congress has the power to actually change the name through a formal process.

The ruling stated that Trump’s name had to be removed by Friday, June 12. Cooper also blocked the administration’s plans to close the cultural and arts venue for major renovations that had been planned to begin in July and last roughly two years.

Despite the board’s efforts to reinstate Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center and block its removal from the physical building, the organization’s website removed mentions of Trump as well as in packaging for upcoming events.

The Associated Press notes that Trump largely ignored the Kennedy Center during his first term, but took a significantly more active role in it at the start of his second term. Just one month in, he ousted the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a board of trustees that he selected. The center’s shows have since included more friendly shows to the Trump administration, including the premiere of First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary, Melania.