The Justice Department said in a court filing that thunderstorms created safety risks for workers carrying out the removal work and requested an extension until Saturday afternoon.

Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who filed the lawsuit, opposed the request, calling the delay unacceptable and part of what she described as a pattern of failing to comply with the court’s order.

A federal judge in Washington had earlier rejected a request from the administration and the Kennedy Center board to pause the removal order while an appeal moved forward.

US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that only Congress has the authority to rename the performing arts venue, which was established as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.

The administration appealed the decision to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which also declined to suspend the order.

Attorneys for Beatty said the law was clear that changing the Kennedy Center’s name required congressional action.

The Kennedy Center opened in 1971 as a memorial to Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. After Trump appointed several board members, the board voted in December to rename the center to include his name.

Trump announced plans earlier this year for a major renovation of the center as part of a broader effort to reshape Washington’s landmark sites.

The event, scheduled on the National Mall as part of commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, will feature speeches from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump is expected to address attendees through a video message.

In a promotional video released ahead of the gathering, Hegseth described the event as an opportunity to “rededicate this republic to God and country,” language reflecting the increasingly visible role of conservative evangelical movements within Trump’s political coalition.

The prayer rally comes as Christian nationalism has gained greater prominence during Trump’s second term, with evangelical voters remaining a central pillar of Republican support.

Critics argue the administration has increasingly blurred the boundary between religion and state despite constitutional protections designed to prevent the establishment of an official religion.

While faith-based events involving presidents and government officials are common in Washington, scholars said Sunday’s gathering stands out because of its scale and the extensive participation of senior cabinet officials.

According to organizers, the event is open to Americans “of every background.” However, nearly all of the listed religious speakers are evangelical Protestant leaders, alongside a rabbi and a retired Catholic archbishop.

Religious studies experts said the composition of the event reflects a broader political movement linking conservative Christianity with national identity.

Sam Perry, a professor at Baylor University, said the blending of conservative Christianity and nationalism is not unprecedented in U.S. politics but noted the White House’s direct role in organizing the event marked a departure from earlier administrations.

Julie Ingersoll, a religious studies scholar at University of North Florida, said the speaker lineup projected a vision of American identity centered on Christianity and traditional cultural majorities.

The event is also expected to reinforce the influence of televangelist Paula White, who leads the White House Faith Office and has long served as one of Trump’s closest spiritual advisers. In a webinar last month, White described the gathering as a moment to “rededicate the country to God.”

The National Mall has historically served as a venue for major demonstrations and public assemblies, including the 1963 March on Washington where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Organizers said Sunday’s program is expected to run for approximately nine hours.