- A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s name cannot be added to the historic Kennedy Center. The court stated that the unilateral name change by the board violated the law.
- The court blocked plans to temporarily close the performing arts venue for a multi-year renovation. The judge ruled that the board failed to consider its legal programming obligations.
- The venue must remove all physical and digital signage bearing Trump’s name within two weeks. The center’s administration has already indicated plans to appeal the decision.
A US District Court judge has blocked the unilateral renaming of the historic Kennedy Center and halted its planned multi-year closure.
Eko Hot Blog reports that US District Judge Casey Cooper ruled on Friday that the institution’s board of trustees violated the law by adding President Donald Trump’s name to the venue.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Fresh Details Emerge on Death of Odomola Monarch, Oba Adebowale Adeshina
- Sanwo-Olu Applauds LASU’s Academic Excellence After JAMB Ranking
- NRC Moves 176,820 Tonnes Of Cargo Through Lagos Ports In Q1
Cooper stated that the law establishing the venue makes it crystal clear that it is to be named solely for President John F. Kennedy. He emphasized that only Congress holds the authority to alter the name of the national cultural institution.
The legal ruling serves as a major victory for Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member who filed the lawsuit. The dispute began last year when Trump-appointed board members voted to rename the venue the “Trump Kennedy Center”.
Tensions escalated in March when the board voted to shut down the building for two years starting July 7 to perform structural renovations. Judge Cooper noted that the board rubber-stamped the closure without examining how it would fulfill its legal mandate to maintain active programming.
He added that trustees were kept in the dark and learned about the closure via a social media post.
Following the court decision, President Trump signaled on social media that he would back down from the legal fight.
He stated he has instructed the Department of Commerce to arrange a transfer of the institution’s management directly to Congress.
Meanwhile, the judge ordered that all references to the “Trump Kennedy Center” be scrubbed from physical signage and digital platforms within two weeks.
Despite the ruling on the name and closure, the court clarified that the center may still proceed with necessary building renovations, including HVAC and theater seating upgrades, provided it remains open to the public.
