A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from closing the Kennedy Center for repairs and has ordered the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the building and its website. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board appointed by Trump did not have the authority to rename the facility, which is mandated by law to honor President Kennedy. The judge's decision emphasized that only Congress has the power to change the name of the Kennedy Center.
In a statement, Trump criticized the ruling, stating he would no longer be involved with the institution unless he could effectively manage its operations. He indicated plans to work with Congress to transfer responsibility for the Kennedy Center back to them. The White House has not commented on whether Trump will appeal the ruling.
Judge Cooper noted that the administration's argument that the name change was merely a secondary name was insufficient, stating that the addition of 'Trump' to the center's title constitutes a formal renaming. He also blocked the board's decision to close the center for two years for renovations, citing a lack of thorough consideration of the implications of such a closure. The judge clarified that while the center can proceed with necessary repairs, any closure must follow proper procedures. The Kennedy Center spokesperson expressed confidence that the board's decision would be upheld on appeal, while Rep. Joyce Beatty, who filed the lawsuit, stated that the ruling affirms the center belongs to the American people, not to Trump.
