A federal judge has mandated the removal of President Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This ruling, issued on Friday, also temporarily prevents the institution from closing for planned renovations this summer.
In a fiery social media statement, President Trump expressed his disapproval of the decision. He hinted at potentially distancing himself from the Kennedy Center, describing his involvement as a ‘hopeless journey’ without the autonomy to direct its future.
“Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the Federal District Court in Washington stated in his opinion.
Judge Cooper’s detailed ruling explained that the board’s decision to include Trump’s name contravened a 1964 congressional act. This law specified that the institution should honor former President John F. Kennedy exclusively. The judge ordered the removal of the 18 additional letters from the building’s marble facade within two weeks.
The board of trustees, predominantly comprised of Trump’s allies, voted in December to append his name to the center. This change resulted in the building prominently displaying “The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” Judge Cooper pointed out the illegality of this modification under the existing congressional mandate.
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