Appeals Court Denies Stay on Trump Name Removal at Kennedy Center, Leaves Core Issues for Full Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on July 8 denied requests for a stay that would have kept President Trump's name on the Kennedy Center while appeals proceed. A three-judge panel ruled that the Trump administration and the Kennedy Center failed to show irreparable harm from the removal.

The panel, consisting of Judges Gregory Katsas, Patricia Millett and Robert Wilkins, addressed two main arguments. It noted that removal had already taken place, so a stay could not prevent claimed expenses or time losses. ” President Trump's name was removed from the building in the early hours of June 13 to comply with a district court order.

A tarp has covered the sign since that date. Photojournalists confirmed the lettering was gone by late June. Rep. Joyce Beatty, who filed the lawsuit that led to the district court order, said the ruling affirmed the administration's efforts were unlawful.

“His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people,” Beatty stated. She called on the administration to remove the tarps. The Kennedy Center had argued in its filing that it risked losing hundreds of millions of dollars in donations tied to the Trump name and that its bylaws would require returning those funds.

The appeals court held that argument was not raised earlier and was therefore forfeited.