A federal judge has stopped President Trump from adding his name to the Kennedy Center. The arts complex in Washington, D.C., was named for John F. Kennedy. The judge also halted the administration’s plan to close the Kennedy Center for two years for renovations.
U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper emphasized in his ruling that the center’s name, as given by Congress, should remain as is. He stated, “The Kennedy Center’s organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board’s unilateral say-so. Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.”
A Kennedy Center spokesperson expressed the intent to appeal the decision. Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations, noted that despite the ruling, the center requires urgent restoration. With $257 million already secured, the focus remains on ensuring the center is preserved as a key cultural landmark.
The White House has not yet commented on the matter. Judge Cooper ordered the removal of signage and online references to the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” or “Trump Kennedy Center.” The materials should be removed within 14 days.
The judge criticized the renovation plans as unclear, mentioning a lack of sufficient information for the board to make a well-informed decision. In a previous statement, President Trump claimed a review process had occurred, yet the judge noted that no such review took place.
The lawsuit leading to this ruling was filed in March by Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio. Her voting rights on the center’s board were revoked last year. Judge Cooper’s decision does not prohibit future renovations, but any closure should be based on thorough information and consideration of the board’s responsibilities.