Judge Stops Trump Administration’s Kennedy Center Plans

A federal judge has halted attempts by President Trump to add his name to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The arts complex is named in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy. On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper issued a ruling blocking the change and stopping planned renovations.

Judge Cooper emphasized the clarity of the Kennedy Center’s foundational statute, stating, “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 informed NPR about an impending appeal against this decision. Roma Daravi, the complex’s Vice President of Public Relations, noted that although they respect the ruling, the need for renovations persists. She cited $257 million secured for restoration, underscoring the project’s national cultural importance.

NPR reached out to the White House for comments but did not receive an immediate response. The court order mandates that all references to names like “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” must be removed within two weeks.

The proposed renovation plan faced criticism from Judge Cooper, who called it “murky” and suggested that board members lacked adequate information to make informed decisions. The Judge highlighted discrepancies in Trump’s previous statements about consultations on renovation decisions.

This ruling was prompted by a lawsuit filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board whose voting rights were removed last year. While this decision does not preclude future closures, it mandates the board to act based on thorough information and respect for the center’s historical significance.