President Donald Trump's administration will appeal the decision of a federal judge who ordered the removal of the president's name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a dispute that has opened a new front between the White House and the Judiciary over control of one of the most emblematic cultural institutions in the country.

According to information from the AP, the notice of appeal was filed on Thursday with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, after the venue's board of directors, made up of members selected by Trump, voted in favor of requesting the suspension of the ruling.

The origin of the legal battle

On May 29, federal judge Christopher Cooper determined that the addition of Trump's name to the Kennedy Center was carried out illegally and concluded that only the United States Congress has the power to officially change the name of the institution.

As part of his resolution, he ordered all references to the president removed by Friday and also blocked the administration's plans to temporarily close the facility in order to carry out extensive renovations.

The decision represented a setback for the strategy promoted by the center's current board of directors, which even promoted the use of the name “Trump Kennedy Center” and authorized the physical placement of the president's surname on the façade of the building.

An institution transformed under Trump

Since his return to the White House, Trump has significantly increased his influence over the Kennedy Center. Just a few weeks into his second term, he replaced the previous board of directors with one made up of political allies.

The new administration of the venue has promoted programming closer to the interests of the president, including events such as the presentation of the documentary “Melania”, starring the first lady.

Reactions in the cultural world

The controversy provoked a strong reaction among artists and figures linked to the center. According to the aforementioned agency, personalities such as Issa Rae, Bela Fleck and Louise Penny canceled planned presentations, while collaborators such as Ben Folds and Renée Fleming resigned from their positions.

For his part, Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen, a member of the board of directors, opposed the appeal.

“I hope to leave these distractions behind and focus on supporting the arts and the future of the Center,” he declared.

As the appeal continues, the case could set a precedent for the limits of presidential influence over federally funded cultural institutions.