# Trump's Kennedy Center fight heads to court

> A federal judge orders 30 days notice before any demolition as Trump clashes with courts over his name on the building.
- Title: Trump's Kennedy Center fight heads to court · ABC News
- Summary: A federal judge orders 30 days notice before any demolition as Trump clashes with courts over his name on the building. A judge is forcing the Trump…
- Keywords: trump administration, kennedy center, federal court, judge christopher cooper, demolition threat, building renovation, name removal, congress appropriation, news, Trump's, Kennedy, Center
- Source: ABC News — https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-photographed-kennedy-center-demolishedplacard-amid-fight-venues/story?id=136519219
- Author: ABC News
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: trump administration, kennedy center, federal court, judge christopher cooper, demolition threat, building renovation, name removal, congress appropriation, news
## Trump photographed with demolition placard
Trump was seen examining a placard that appeared to say "Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED" aboard Air Force One on Wednesday night. The full contents of the sign remain unclear.
## Judge orders 30 days advance notice
Federal Judge Christopher Cooper ruled Thursday that the Trump administration must give 30 days' notice before making any changes to the Kennedy Center, including demolition of the main building.

> "including but not limited to any 'demolition' of the Center's main building"
## Trump demands recognition for renovations
Trump said the Kennedy Center will "close" or be "ripped down" unless his administration receives recognition. Congress appropriated 257 million dollars for renovations, but Trump says they won't happen without his name on the building.

> "if we don't do that, it's going to close. It'll end up being ripped down"
## Judge previously ordered name removal
In May, Judge Cooper ruled that Trump's name violated the law and ordered it removed from the building. Trump's name had been added after his board voted to rename it the "Trump-Kennedy Center" in December.

> "The center's rebranding violated the law"
## Appeals court upholds removal order
In July, a panel of D.C. Circuit appeals court judges rejected Trump's request to keep his name on the building, upholding the earlier court order for removal.
## Board votes to close building immediately
Trump-appointed board members voted last month to close the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation, then voted again Tuesday to close it immediately. The executive director called the closure "temporary" and set for seven days.
## Judge blocks name installation again
On Tuesday, Judge Cooper issued a written order blocking any attempt to add Trump's name to the building, saying Congress must approve any memorials at the Kennedy Center.

> "Defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress's blessing"
## White House defends intervention
The White House said Democrats let the Kennedy Center deteriorate with water damage and crumbling infrastructure. A spokesperson said Trump's intervention is necessary to prevent the building from continuing to decline.
## Key takeaway

A judge is forcing the Trump administration to give advance warning before making major changes to the Kennedy Center, blocking Trump's attempts to add his name back to the building.