A federal judge has blocked President Trump from adding his name to the Kennedy Center, ruling that the Washington, D.C. arts complex was named for the late President John F. Kennedy and cannot be renamed without congressional approval. The decision also temporarily halts the administration's plans to close the facility for a two-year renovation scheduled to begin in July.
U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper issued the ruling on Friday, writing that the Kennedy Center's organic statute makes clear the facility must bear President Kennedy's name. The judge stated: "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."
The ruling requires the removal of all signage and online materials referring to the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts," the "Trump Kennedy Center," or similar designations within 14 days.
Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, confirmed the organization will appeal the decision. "We will review the decision carefully though the reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration – a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges," Daravi stated in an email to NPR. "With $257 million secured by President Trump and approved by Congress, the resources are in place and we remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy."
The decision represents a significant legal setback for the administration's plans to reshape the iconic performing arts venue. Judge Cooper's 94-page ruling addressed not only the naming controversy but also raised concerns about the planned closure and renovation process.
The judge characterized the renovation plans as "murky" and found that board members lacked sufficient information to make an informed decision about closing the center. "None of the board members had sufficient information in advance of the March 16 meeting to make a well-considered decision to close the center," Cooper wrote in his ruling.
The Kennedy Center has already begun winding down its programming and has dismissed most of its programming staff in anticipation of the planned closure. The renovations were scheduled to commence in early July, shortly after the 250th anniversary celebrations.
Judge Cooper also addressed claims made by President Trump regarding the renovation planning process. Referring to a Truth Social post written by the president in February, the judge wrote: "There was no 'one year review of the Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants, deciding between' complete and partial closure, as President Trump claimed."
The lawsuit that prompted the ruling was filed in March by Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board. Beatty's voting rights on the board were stripped last year. All current voting board members were selected by President Trump, who also assumed the role of chairman of the center last year.
While the ruling temporarily blocks the planned closure, it does not permanently prevent the Kennedy Center's board from closing the facility in the future. However, Judge Cooper stipulated that any future closure should occur only after the board has "sufficient information to make a considered, independent decision, taking account of its obligation to both maintain and operate a premiere arts venue and its solemn duty to memorialize a fallen President."
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling. The decision underscores the legal complexities surrounding attempts to alter federally designated memorials and the limits of executive authority over congressionally established institutions.
