Trump Administration Challenges Court Ruling on Kennedy Center Name Change

The Trump administration has announced plans to appeal a court order demanding the removal of President Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center. The appeal was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

On the same day, the Kennedy Center board, which includes appointees chosen by Mr. Trump, voted to seek a temporary halt on the decision made by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper. Judge Cooper’s ruling from May 29 stated that only Congress has the authority to change the name of the Kennedy Center and mandated the removal of Trump’s name by the upcoming Friday.

The judge also stopped the administration from proceeding with extensive renovations that were scheduled to begin in July and continue for two years. The renovations would have temporarily closed the cultural venue.

This board decision marks a policy change. A memo from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel, dated June 4, had instructed employees to use ‘The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ or ‘Kennedy Center’ for official documents. The institution’s website has since removed Trump’s name, and promotional emails for upcoming events, like the Mark Twain Award ceremony on June 28, did not include his name.

In response, Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat from Washington and a member of the Kennedy Center’s board, expressed disapproval towards pursuing a stay. In his statement, Larsen emphasized the need to redirect focus to supporting the arts and the center’s future without such distractions.

During his first term, Mr. Trump showed little interest in the Kennedy Center. However, since beginning a second term, he has exercised significant influence. Shortly after returning to office, he dismissed the center’s leadership and appointed a new board of trustees, naming himself chairman. He also appointed Richard Grenell as president until March, when Matt Floca assumed the position. Programming at the center has shifted, featuring events such as the premiere of first lady Melania Trump’s documentary, ‘Melania.’

The board’s controversial decision to rename the institution as the Trump Kennedy Center led to a backlash from the arts community. Figures such as actor Issa Rae, musician Bela Fleck, and author Louise Penny canceled their appearances. Other contributors, like musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming, resigned in protest. In early June, the executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, Jean Davidson, left to lead another arts center in Los Angeles.

In addition to voting on the stay, the board approved a resolution acknowledging President Trump’s efforts in upholding the Kennedy Center, stressing its importance as a cherished American institution.