A federal judge has heard arguments over a new attempt by the Trump-controlled Kennedy Center board to display Donald Trump’s name on the building and rename its grounds. The dispute matters because a previous court injunction found that Congress alone could change the name of the Kennedy memorial complex, raising questions about whether the board is complying with that ruling.

The board proposes two façade inscriptions crediting Trump for restoration and an endowment, and to call the site “President Donald J. Trump Plaza”. Representative Joyce Beatty argues this breaches federal law and the earlier injunction, while the Justice Department says the measures recognise Trump rather than rename the centre or create a prohibited memorial. Judge Christopher Cooper rejected discussion of claims that failing to restore Trump’s name could endanger the building’s future, noting Congress has allocated more than $250 million for repairs.