A federal judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center cannot be renamed to include former President Donald Trump’s name, and has blocked plans for its temporary closure. The decision was made by U.S. District Judge Casey Cooper, who stated that the law establishing the center mandates it be named solely for President John F. Kennedy. Cooper emphasized that only Congress has the authority to change the center’s name.
Legal and Operational Implications
Judge Cooper’s ruling also prevents the Kennedy Center from closing for a planned two-year renovation, citing a lack of consideration for its statutory obligations to maintain programming. The judge noted that the board of trustees did not adequately consider the impact of a full closure on its legislative mandate.
Following the ruling, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would transfer control of the center to Congress, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision but indicating no further interest in pursuing the matter unless granted full freedom to implement his plans.
Appeal and Future Plans
The Kennedy Center has indicated plans to appeal the decision. Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president of public relations, expressed confidence that the court would eventually support the board’s decision to recognize Trump’s contributions. The center also plans to review the judge’s decision regarding the closure, emphasizing the need for urgent renovations, including infrastructure updates and theater seating upgrades.
The ruling marks a victory for Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, who challenged the board’s decision to rename the center and close it for renovations. Beatty argued that the board members were not adequately informed about the renovation plans before the vote.
Judge Cooper highlighted that the board’s decision to close the center appeared predetermined, with board members learning about the closure plans at the same time as the public. This lack of transparency and opportunity for meaningful input was a significant factor in the court’s decision.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
