A federal court in Washington, D.C., has ruled against the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to honor former President Donald Trump. Judge Christopher Cooper stated that such a change requires Congressional approval and has ordered the removal of all signage and references to “Trump-Kennedy Center” within 14 days.
The ruling follows Trump’s announcement on social media, where he instructed the U.S. Department of Commerce to take necessary steps alongside Congress to facilitate a complete transfer of the institution’s management and operations.
Judge Cooper emphasized that the statute governing the Kennedy Center clearly mandates it be named after President Kennedy, asserting that only Congress has the authority to alter its official title. He stated, “The name of the center was given by Congress, and only Congress can change it.”
Additionally, the court’s decision halted a planned two-year closure of the center for extensive renovations. However, the judge noted that essential repairs to the aging facility may still proceed.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed concerns that the upcoming renovations, scheduled to begin next month, could not occur without closing the center, calling the court’s decision to keep the facility open a potential safety risk. He stated, “I cannot be part of a situation where danger to people is allowed to thrive in plain sight.”
The Kennedy Center was established by Congress in 1958 and is overseen by a board of trustees, which Trump populated with his allies during his second term. The ruling was made in response to a lawsuit filed by Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who serves on the Kennedy Center board by virtue of her position. Following the court’s decision, Beatty remarked that the Kennedy Center belongs to the American people, not Donald Trump.
Beatty filed her lawsuit against the Trump administration in December, describing the renaming as a blatant violation of the rule of law. Her legal team welcomed Judge Cooper’s ruling.
About the Kennedy Center
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the United States’ national cultural center located in Washington, D.C. Opened in 1971, it serves as the official residence of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.
Shortly after taking office, Trump dismissed all members of the Kennedy Center board and replaced them with his allies, who subsequently voted to appoint Trump as the board’s chair. Current board members include Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Chief of Staff Suzy Wiles, and several other officials and political allies. Close Trump advisor Richard Grenell was named president of the center.
In December, the board voted to rename the center to “Trump-Kennedy Center,” a decision that faced immediate backlash from members of the Kennedy family, Democratic representatives, and artists who canceled their performances. Some lawmakers and legal experts have argued that since the center’s name was established by law in 1964, only Congress has the power to officially change it.
A U.S. federal court has ruled against renaming the Kennedy Center after Donald Trump, stating that only Congress can authorize such changes. The decision also halts planned renovations while allowing necessary repairs to continue.
Source: Reuters