US court says Trump name must stay off Kennedy Center during appeal

Trump administration requested pause on lower court's ruling after Trump's name was removed from facade in June

A US appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Donald Trump's administration cannot restore the Republican leader's name to the facade of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington while he challenges a judge's order that required its removal.

The decision by a three-judge panel of the US court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit denied a request from the Trump administration to pause a lower court judge's order in a lawsuit brought by Joyce Beatty, a Democratic representative and Kennedy Center board member. Trump's name was removed from the iconic Washington theater center's facade and signage last month. US district judge Christopher Cooper ordered the removal in May, and also blocked Trump's plans to close the center for two years of renovations starting on 4 July.