Judge presses Kennedy Center on rush to add Trump name
What's next: The court is weighing whether it can stop the facade inscription while the administration appeals a May ruling.
A federal judge challenged the Kennedy Center on Thursday over its push to put President Donald Trump’s name on the performing arts venue by Sept. 8, questioning why the timeline was necessary after an earlier court order blocked a prior renaming effort. At a hearing in Washington, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper repeatedly pressed administration lawyer Bradley Mayers on how the plan fits with congressional intent. The Trump-aligned board recently voted to add wording crediting Trump with restoring and renovating the center and to rename the plaza in his honor. Cooper also raised doubts about whether he has jurisdiction to halt the new move while the administration appeals his May ruling.