A U.S. federal court has again blocked an attempt by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington to inscribe President Donald Trump’s name on its building. 

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper rejected the push in an order on Tuesday by temporarily halting the latest proposal by the centre’s board to add Mr Trump’s name to the memorial to former President Kennedy, who died in 1963.

In his preliminary order, Mr Cooper said Mr Trump cannot attach his name to the building’s facade, even with approval from the United States Congress.

“Simply put, defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Centre without Congress’ blessing,” the judge said.

The judgment came shortly before the centre’s board was scheduled to vote on Trump’s plan to shut down the performing arts venue for two years for repairs and renovations.

It is the latest blow to Mr Trump’s relentless effort to attach himself to the centre after an earlier court ruling found that the president illegally added his name to the building. 

The Trump-aligned board of the centre voted in August to approve renaming the building “The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump.”