Trump officials warn Kennedy Center could be demolished if court blocks renovations

The U.S. Justice Department has formally petitioned a federal court to have former President Donald J. Trump’s name reinstated on a building from which it was removed in June after a judge ordered the deletion. The request was filed on Thursday and cites the department’s position that the original naming complied with all applicable statutes and that the removal was premature.

The building in question, a privately owned office tower in Washington, D.C., had displayed “Trump” on its façade following a lease agreement signed in 2022. In June, a district court ruled that the signage violated a federal prohibition on using the name of a former president on government‑owned property, prompting the removal. The Justice Department’s brief argues that the court misinterpreted the law, noting that the property is not government‑owned and that the lease does not constitute a federal endorsement.

If the court grants the Justice Department’s motion, the signage would be restored pending any further appeal. The outcome will clarify the application of naming restrictions to privately held structures that bear the names of former officials and could set a precedent for similar disputes nationwide.