The Justice Department has officially confirmed in federal court that President Donald Trump’s name has been taken down from all signage on the Kennedy Center’s building and grounds. This announcement came just an hour before a judge’s deadline set for Saturday at noon.
Initially, the Trump administration attempted a last-ditch effort to prevent the removal of Trump’s name, requesting the court to intervene before the midnight deadline on Friday.
The government asked for a brief extension of 12 hours, citing delays due to thunderstorms in Washington, D.C., which posed safety risks for the workers involved, as stated in their recent court filing.
A federal judge in D.C. mandated that the Trump administration confirm by noon on Saturday that they had adhered to the court’s order to remove the name, even granting a short extension to accommodate the request.
This extension followed a decision by a federal appeals court late Friday night, which denied the Department of Justice’s appeal for an immediate stay on the court’s ruling requiring the name’s removal from the iconic Washington, D.C., performing arts center.
In an earlier filing with the D.C. Circuit, the Trump administration argued that removing Trump’s name would stall fundraising, prevent repairs from taking place and confuse the public.Â
“No one else other than President Trump would be in the position of both rebuilding the Building, and raising the money for its operation,” the filing stated, saying the performing arts center can be ” the envy of the World,” and arguing the building could suffer a “financial and structural collapse.”
Trump’s name has already been removed from the Kennedy Center’s website and YouTube page.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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