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US judge orders Trump name removed from Kennedy Center, blocks closure for repairs

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from closing the Kennedy Center for repairs and ordered the removal of Trump's name from the building and its website.
  • The judge ruled that renaming the performing arts center requires congressional approval, not just a decision by the center's board.
  • Trump defended the repair plans and criticized the judge, accusing him of political bias.

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's plans to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for repairs and has ordered the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the institution and its online presence within 14 days. US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the authority to alter the center's formal name rests solely with Congress.

Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.

— Christopher CooperUS District Judge explaining his ruling on the renaming of the Kennedy Center.

In a detailed opinion released on President Kennedy's birthday, Cooper rejected the administration's argument that the changes did not constitute a formal renaming. He pointed to signage that identified the venue as "The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts," arguing this significantly altered the institution's identity and relegated President Kennedy's name to a secondary position.

"Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it," Cooper wrote, emphasizing that the addition of Trump's name was more than a clerical adjustment. The judge's order requires the removal of all references to Trump from the center and its digital platforms within two weeks.

The ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ label adds an entirely new name to the Center’s formal title and relegates President Kennedy’s name to second place. If that is not a renaming, what is?

— Christopher CooperUS District Judge explaining why the changes constituted a renaming.

Meanwhile, President Trump defended the proposed renovations, citing serious structural and safety concerns. He also publicly criticized Judge Cooper, alleging political bias and conflicts of interest. The judge's ruling underscores the complex legal and political battles surrounding the renaming and management of prominent national institutions.

I cannot be involved with a situation where danger to the Public is allowed to flourish in plain and open sight. Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump defending his administration's plans for the Kennedy Center.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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