Judges Block Renaming of Kennedy Center, Trump's $1.8 Billion Fund

A district judge has blocked US President Donald Trump's attempt to rename the famed Kennedy Center, while another judge has temporarily halted his $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.

In December, Trump introduced the idea of renaming the famed Kennedy Center – the busiest performing arts facility in the United States, located in Washington D.C. – to the Trump Kennedy Center. The board, which had been entirely handpicked by him and his administration, unanimously approved the idea, with Trump's name going onto the center within days of the decision.

However, the move was blocked by a judge yesterday after months of proceedings, with District Judge Christopher Cooper confirming that the renaming of the building without the approval of Congress was completely illegal. Judge Cooper also temporarily blocked the upcoming closure of the center for renovations, which had been scheduled for later this summer. Members of the Kennedy family rejoiced after his decision, but Trump was not content.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to blast the removal of his name, calling out the judge for being appointed by Democratic former President Barack Obama. Trump labeled the Kennedy Center as a "losing institution" and accused Judge Cooper of being a part of the "radical left," while describing himself as America's "favorite president" and shifted his stance, claiming that he had "no interest" in restoring the arts center.

Meanwhile, another major decision impacting one of Trump's controversial policies turned against him on Friday. District Judge Leonie Brinkema halted all further action to support the fund, including the transfer of money from the Department of Justice's unlimited Judgment Fund to Trump's "anti-weaponization" fund.

The fund was set to put $1.776 billion in taxpayer money aside to directly compensate Trump supporters, with the announcement coming earlier this month. A large portion of the funds were expected to go to rioters pardoned by Trump for their insurrection on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, but the Trump administration claimed that the money would be sent to his supporters and allies that were unfairly treated during the Biden administration.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Tupac was the first U.S. artist to have an album reach Billboard #1 while still in prison. It was his third studio album, titled “Me Against the World“.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Beauty and ingenuity beat perfection hands down, every time. (Nalo Hopkinson)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Cohort (noun, KOH-hort) - Cohort refers to a group or band of individuals, as in “a cohort of supporters.” It can also be used for a group of individuals who have a statistical factor (such as age) in common in a demographic study, as in “a cohort of people born in the 1980s.” Cohort can be used for individuals too, as for a friend, companion, or colleague, but it is almost always used in its plural form.

In a Sentence: I wouldn’t have made it through graduate school without the help of my supportive cohort.

Image credit to ABC