A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to remove President Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ruling that the recent renaming of the institution was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper gave the administration 14 days to remove the name from the building’s facade and all official materials.
The ruling addresses a decision made by the Kennedy Center’s board, whose members were appointed by President Trump, to rename the facility “The Trump Kennedy Center.” In his order, Judge Cooper stated that the administration “violated the Kennedy Center’s organic statute in purporting to rename the Center for President Trump.” The judge concluded that only Congress has the authority to change the name of the institution, which was established by federal law as a national memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The court order mandates the removal of “all physical signage on the Kennedy Center building and grounds” and requires an update to the center’s official website to remove references to the renaming. The ruling also blocks a previously planned two-year closure of the performing arts center for renovations.
President Trump responded to the decision in a lengthy statement posted on social media. He criticized the ruling and the judge, noting that Judge Cooper was an appointee of former President Barack Obama.
“I have no interest in” the Kennedy Center, Trump wrote. He announced that he had directed the Department of Commerce to coordinate with Congress for a “full and complete transfer of this Institution, giving them the responsibility for its Operation, Maintenance, and Management.”
Members of the Kennedy family issued public statements welcoming the court’s decision, which was delivered on what would have been President John F. Kennedy’s birthday.
“An appropriate birthday present on my uncle’s birthday today,” wrote Maria Shriver, a niece of the late president. “A federal judge ruled that President Trump and the Kennedy Center Board acted unlawfully in renaming the Kennedy Center.”
Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, also commented on the ruling, stating, “What a great way to celebrate you on your birthday, Uncle Jack!”
