Ban Politicians From Naming Buildings After Themselves

Public buildings belong to the public — not to politicians looking to put their names on taxpayer-funded landmarks.

Yet Donald Trump’s name has been placed on or proposed for federal institutions while he is still in office. His allies renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after him, and Trump-appointed trustees at the Kennedy Center repeatedly tried to put his name on the performing arts center. Courts have since blocked the Kennedy Center effort, but the controversy exposed a loophole Congress can close.

Now, Republican Senator John Kennedy just spoke out against naming government buildings for living politicians. And lawmakers have already introduced legislation that would prohibit federal buildings, lands, and other assets from being named for a sitting president.

Tell Congress: Pass legislation banning sitting presidents from naming or renaming federal buildings and other public assets after themselves.

Our federal buildings, monuments, parks, and institutions are paid for by the American people. They should commemorate our shared history and public service — not function as personal branding opportunities for whoever happens to hold power.

The rule should apply regardless of party. A Republican president shouldn’t be able to use public property to memorialize himself while in office, and neither should a Democratic president. Congress can establish a clear standard that protects public institutions from self-promotion by any future president.

Add your name to our petition and tell Congress to establish a simple rule for every president, regardless of party: You don’t get to use public office to put your own name on public property.

The petition to Congress reads:

"Pass legislation prohibiting sitting presidents from naming or renaming federal buildings, lands, monuments, or other public assets after themselves, and prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used for such self-naming. Public property belongs to the American people — not the politician currently occupying the White House."