In a late-night procedural move, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Monday derailed a bipartisan attempt to stop President Trump from demolishing the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The effort, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), sought to pass legislation under unanimous consent that would have barred any demolition of the iconic Washington venue without congressional approval. The bill had the backing of Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), but Lee's objection effectively killed it for now.
The clash comes as Trump has repeatedly threatened to tear down the Kennedy Center, a cultural landmark, after a federal court blocked his attempt to add his name alongside Kennedy's on the building's facade. The administration is also fighting a separate legal challenge to its sweeping renovation plans, with officials describing the structure as "decrepit" and in need of a complete overhaul.
Merkley took to the Senate floor to demand action, but Lee interjected, preventing the measure from advancing without a formal vote. In a statement following the exchange, Merkley framed the bill as a safeguard for all presidential memorials, arguing that no such structure should be destroyed without explicit congressional authorization.
"Trump's threats are straight out of the authoritarian playbook and should infuriate every American who values our nation's history and the rule of law," Merkley said. "Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars putting Trump's name on memorials and monuments as if he is a king, we should be focused on putting money back into the pockets of working families and honoring America's greatest cultural institutions, not destroying them."
Lee's objection on the Kennedy Center came just moments after he also blocked a separate Merkley proposal that would have prohibited Trump from constructing a colossal marble arch between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. That project has drawn scrutiny from Democrats, with Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) warning last week that the administration appears to be moving forward despite a court order requiring advance notice before any construction begins.
The twin objections highlight the growing friction between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration over the fate of national landmarks. The Kennedy Center, long a symbol of bipartisan cultural support, has become a flashpoint in the broader battle over presidential authority and the preservation of historical sites. Trump's renovation plans, which include modernizing the aging facility, have been met with fierce opposition from preservationists and some lawmakers who argue the changes would erase the center's historical character.
Merkley's legislation, had it passed, would have set a precedent that any demolition or major alteration to a presidential memorial requires a vote of Congress. Supporters argue this is a necessary check on executive power, especially as Trump has shown willingness to bypass traditional oversight. Opponents, including Lee, have not publicly detailed their reasons for blocking the measure, but the move aligns with a broader pattern of Republican resistance to Democratic efforts to limit the president's authority over federal properties.
The legal battles are ongoing, with the administration pressing forward on renovations while courts weigh the challenges. Meanwhile, the political standoff shows no signs of easing, as Democrats vow to continue pressing for legislative protections. "This is about protecting our history from a president who seems determined to erase it," Merkley added. The issue is likely to resurface as the Senate considers other spending and oversight measures.
