Trump blocked from having US landmarks renamed after him

Reason for the bill

The bill was prompted by the controversial decision to add Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which took effect on December 19 - the date when workers began installing the previous name.

Eventually, the building received a new name: the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, as approved by the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees.

The vote to add Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has raised concerns about historical legacy, Congressional authority, and what some lawmakers describe as a scheme to politicize federal assets.

It highlights broader questions about the limits of presidential power and the protection of national memory - issues that resonate in American political and cultural life.

Following this high-profile renaming, US lawmakers introduced bills to reverse the change and to prohibit similar actions in the future.

Who initiated the bills

Democratic Congresswoman April McClain Delaney from Maryland introduced two bills: the Kennedy Center Protection Act, which would overturn the board’s vote and require the removal of Trump’s name from all signage, and the Federal Property Integrity Act, which would prohibit renaming federal assets after sitting presidents.

McClain Delaney described these efforts as important for protecting national heritage and Congress’s oversight of federal memorials.

"Congress must stop the 'Trump branding' of our national treasures and memorials, particularly an institution which uplifts our national arts and commemorates the late President John F. Kennedy. And if it isn't clear enough, my second bill will ensure that no other federal landmark can ever be named in honor of a sitting President. It's past time that lawmakers drew a firm line to prevent these types of activities," she said.

The Congresswoman added that Trump’s actions are an insult to the American people.

"The Kennedy Center is a memorial to a fallen President. Changing the name of the Kennedy Center is a betrayal of President Kennedy’s legacy and an affront to the American people and our shared history," Delaney concluded.

Meanwhile, independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont announced a parallel bill in the Senate, calling Trump’s actions arrogant and promising legislative prohibition on naming federal properties after sitting presidents.

The reaction of the descendants of former President Kennedy to the renaming of the Center. Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, said the former president proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer.

“President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy’s,” she added.

These steps come after other high-profile efforts by Trump to attach his name to institutions. This includes the proposed renaming of the US Institute of Peace and the intent to build a US Navy battleship as the Trump-class, which has led to further scrutiny and legal challenges.

What happens next

According to the post, the fate of the Kennedy Center’s name and Trump’s campaign to brand federal property depends on Congress and the courts. A lawsuit challenging the renaming has already been filed, while a representative of Beattie, who supports it, argues that any official changes require Congressional action.

If the Kennedy Center Protection Act or the Federal Property Integrity Act is passed, they would not only restore the center’s original name but also set legal limits on future renaming efforts, potentially restricting similar initiatives by current or future presidents.

The US Institute of Peace was officially renamed after President Donald Trump amid negotiations on a peace deal regarding Ukraine.

In addition to renaming federal sites after himself, Trump has planned a reconstruction of the White House ballroom, which is expected to cost $400 million.