A federal judge has rejected an attempt by the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees and the U.S. Department of Justice to halt the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the renowned performing arts venue in the nation’s capital.

The ruling, delivered on Friday by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, clears the way for the removal of Trump’s name from the building following an earlier court decision that found the renaming of the institution unlawful.

The dispute stems from a decision by the Kennedy Center’s governing board, made up largely of Trump allies, to rename the venue the “Trump Kennedy Center” and add the president’s name prominently to the building’s facade.

In a ruling issued on May 29, Cooper determined that only Congress has the authority to change the name of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He ordered the administration to remove Trump’s name from the building and all related materials within 14 days.

The board and the Justice Department appealed the decision and sought a stay of the ruling, arguing that the name should remain in place while the legal challenge proceeded. However, Cooper declined the request, stating that the public interest is not served by allowing what he described as unlawful government action to continue.

Following the latest ruling, the board and the Justice Department filed another appeal with a higher court in a bid to stop the removal. That appeal remains pending.

Workers were seen erecting scaffolding around the section of the building bearing Trump’s name shortly after the court’s decision. Large crowds gathered outside the Kennedy Center as preparations for the removal continued, while thousands more followed developments through online livestreams.

The Kennedy Center had already removed Trump’s name from its official website earlier in the week.

Cooper also issued a temporary injunction blocking plans to close the venue for two years of renovations, a proposal backed by Trump that was scheduled to begin in July.

The controversy is part of a broader effort by Trump since returning to office to place his name and image on federal institutions and public landmarks. The president assumed control of the Kennedy Center early in his second term by appointing himself chairman and replacing board members with loyal supporters.

The decision to rename the institution sparked criticism from artists and cultural figures, with several performers cancelling scheduled appearances at the venue in protest.

Other initiatives associated with the administration have included renaming federal institutions and proposals to feature Trump’s image on commemorative items marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The legal battle over the Kennedy Center’s name is expected to continue as higher courts consider the administration’s appeal.