By Paul Bean
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), introduced legislation Tuesday Jan. 13 to prohibit sitting presidents from naming or renaming federal buildings, land, or other assets after themselves.
“It’s no secret that President Trump is undermining democracy and moving this country toward authoritarianism. Part of that strategy is to create the myth of the ‘Great Leader’ by naming public buildings after himself — something that dictators have done throughout history,” Sanders said in a written statement. “For Trump to put his name on federal buildings is arrogant and it is illegal. We must put an end to this narcissism — and that’s what this bill does.”
Dubbed the ‘Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego (SERVE) Act,’ the bill would:
– Ban the use of federal funds for signage or promotions related to such namings.
– Require restoration of original names in cases where changes have already occurred.
The move follows recent controversy over the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where the board voted to incorporate President Donald Trump’s name into the venue’s title, which prompted backlash from Kennedy family members and critics who argue it violates the spirit of federal memorials.
Sanders also called the practice “arrogance and narcissism,” emphasizing the need to protect national institutions from personal vanity.
With Republicans controlling Congress, the legislation faces an uphill battle for passage.