Senator John Kennedy Proposes Ban on Naming Buildings After Living Politicians

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana proposed a rule prohibiting living public officials from having buildings named after them during an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation." Kennedy argued that public officials should not use public funds for self-promotion or private advertisements, noting that Louisiana already employs such a rule and that it "works pretty well."

The proposal follows repeated efforts by President Donald Trump to rename federal buildings and landmarks after himself. Trump has targeted the U.S. Institute of Peace, New York's Penn Station, and Dulles Airport in Virginia. He also attempted to add his name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, though federal judges ordered its removal, ruling that only Congress possesses the authority to rename the center. Former officials of the U.S. Institute of Peace also filed a court motion this month to block the installation of the president's name on that building's exterior.

Kennedy further criticized the use of taxpayer funds for promotional content, specifically citing a new television advertisement featuring Trump and a previous $220 million Department of Homeland Security ad campaign featuring Secretary Kristi Noem. While the White House maintains a different view on the use of public funds for promotional purposes, Kennedy suggested that a formal ban on naming buildings after living politicians would settle the ongoing controversy.