Kennedy proposes ban on naming buildings for living politicians amid Trump renaming push
Sen. John Kennedy said living public officials should not have buildings named after them and proposed a rule to prevent it. His remarks came as President Trump pushes to rename the Kennedy Center and other federal buildings after himself. Kennedy argued that public money should not be used for self-promotion.
Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, told CBS’s “Face the Nation” that living officials should not have buildings named for them. He argued that taxpayer funds should not be used to promote officeholders, including President Trump.
Trump has pursued naming federal properties after himself. Courts stopped efforts to add his name to the Kennedy Center, ruling Congress controls that name. Similar disputes arose at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Trump linked renaming Penn Station and Dulles Airport to a funding deal.
The dispute could affect federal agencies, cultural institutions, and the public by making building names a test of who controls official commemorations. Lawmakers and courts may face more questions about naming authority and spending on promotional materials. If such fights continue, they may deepen partisan symbolism around public buildings, potentially influencing how citizens view government institutions and the officials who lead them.