US Judge Orders Removal of Trump’s Name From Kennedy Center, Says Only Congress Can Rename It
Washington: A federal judge in the United States has directed the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ruling that the renowned cultural institution cannot be renamed without approval from Congress.
According to Reuters, US District Judge Christopher Cooper issued an order requiring the Trump administration to remove all physical signs carrying Trump’s name and eliminate references to a “Trump Kennedy Center” from official materials within 14 days.
Court Says Congress Holds Authority Over Kennedy Center Name
In his ruling, Judge Cooper stated that the Kennedy Center’s governing statute clearly establishes the venue’s identity as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy. He emphasized that the authority to alter that designation rests solely with Congress.
The judge noted that the institution cannot formally carry another name based on a unilateral decision by its board. He reiterated that Congress originally granted the Kennedy Center its name and therefore remains the only body with the power to change it.
Lawsuit Filed by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty. Beatty, who serves on the Kennedy Center’s board through her congressional position, challenged the effort to rename the venue.
Judge Cooper clarified that the court was not attempting to determine how the center should be managed in the future. He said the decision does not prescribe any specific approach regarding construction, operations, or possible closure plans at the institution.
Trump’s Renovation Plans Face Legal Scrutiny
The White House did not immediately comment on the ruling.
Trump has proposed extensive renovation work at the Kennedy Center as part of a broader initiative aimed at reshaping several prominent landmarks in Washington, DC. The project is tied to wider redevelopment plans that also include a proposed 250-foot arch and a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the site of the former East Wing of the White House.
Those initiatives have also encountered legal challenges. However, a federal appeals court has previously allowed the administration to proceed with plans for the ballroom while litigation continues.
Reuters reported that the case highlights ongoing legal disputes over the administration’s efforts to alter major public landmarks and cultural institutions in the US capital.
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