New Bill Aims to Curb Presidential Naming Practices
Senator Bernie Sanders, along with a few Democratic colleagues, is spearheading legislation that criticizes what they describe as President Donald Trump’s “narcissism.” This proposed bill seeks to prohibit sitting presidents from having their names placed on federal buildings.
Sanders articulated his stance stating, “It’s both arrogant and illegal for Mr. Trump to put his name on a federal building. We need to end this behavior. That’s the essence of this bill.” He further asserted that “there’s no doubt that President Trump is undermining democracy and steering the nation toward authoritarianism.” He believes such naming practices are reminiscent of historical dictators aiming to create a myth of greatness around themselves.
Joined by Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks from Maryland, Sanders introduced the Stop Executive Name Changes for Vanity and Ego Act. The bill would prevent any federal property, including buildings and land, from being named or renamed after a sitting president.
If this legislation passes, all federal properties currently bearing the name of a sitting president would revert to their names as defined by federal law before that president took office.
The push for this bill is in response to significant backlash from Democrats following the renaming of Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Performing Arts Center in December 2025.
When approached about the senator’s comments and the new bill, the White House responded that the administration is not focused on branding. White House Press Secretary Elizabeth Houston emphasized that the administration’s efforts center on national renovation projects, rather than naming disputes.
Presidential names have often been engraved on national landmarks, a practice seen from George Washington, who has the capital named after him, to Hoover Dam named in honor of Herbert Hoover.
In light of the Kennedy Center’s renaming, the Trump administration cited efforts during his second term to save the center from financial decline as the reason for the change. Many board members were appointed by Trump, and he dismissed those who didn’t align with his vision for the arts.
The deputy director for public affairs at the Trump Kennedy Center defended the president, claiming Trump revitalized a center that had been neglected. He criticized lawmakers for their complaints, pointing out their previous lack of support for the institution.
Notably, Democrats have voiced strong opposition to the Kennedy Center’s name change recently, with Sanders and his colleagues taking a stand against the perceived arrogance of such decisions. “Mr. Trump cannot simply impose his name on public institutions,” stated Senator Van Hollen.
Lawmakers have even initiated a lawsuit regarding the Kennedy Center’s renaming while broader concerns about the closure of the United States Institute of Peace, established to promote diplomacy, continue to unfold amidst legal battles over the administration’s control of such institutions.
