The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. has removed President Trump’s name from its exterior, following a federal judge’s order. However, the center’s exterior remains covered with large striped tarps, prompting confusion and frustration from visitors.

Background

The removal of Trump’s name occurred after an appeals court declined to pause a ruling from US District Judge Christopher Cooper that found the venue acted unlawfully when it added Trump’s name to the building. The installation of Trump’s name to the building, which was named for assassinated President John F. Kennedy, struck a deep symbolic chord among residents who’ve cherished the center, which has long served as a cultural hub in the deep-blue city.

Some visitors, such as Stephen Caken, a New York resident, expressed puzzlement over the continued presence of the tarps. ‘It seems like they’re trying to just kind of take away attention from this whole charade,’ Caken said. Others, like John Mathew Smith, a Maryland resident, argued that Trump was ‘trying to weaken America’s symbols.’ ‘To me, he’s trying to deface America’s symbols before he starts finishing defacing the country itself,’ Smith said.

Reactions

Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and an ex-officio trustee of the board, quickly launched a legal challenge against the name change. On Saturday, Beatty posted a celebratory video on social media of herself doing a dance popularized by Trump to ‘YMCA’ by The Village People.

The Kennedy Center’s appeal is expected to play out in coming weeks, and the legal fight dates back to December, when Trump’s handpicked board of trustees added his name, leading to a wave of artists pulling out of performances.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.