Federal Judge Orders Trump's Name Removed from Kennedy Center, Blocks Two-Year Closure

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., delivered a sweeping rebuke to the Trump administration's takeover of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ruling that the board of trustees acted illegally by renaming the institution and ordering its name stripped from the building.

The ruling on the name

U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled on Friday that the board "overstepped its statutory bounds" by unilaterally adding Trump's name to the center. The 94-page decision states that the Kennedy Center's organic statute makes it "crystal clear" that the institution is to be named for President John F. Kennedy, and that only an act of Congress can change it. Cooper directed the administration to remove all physical signage bearing Trump's name and eliminate any references to a "Trump Kennedy Center" from official materials within 14 days.

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

Closure plans blocked

The judge also blocked the board's March 16 vote to close the center for two years starting in July 2026 for what the administration called a "complete renovation." Cooper described the closure decision as "ill-informed and seemingly preordained," noting that trustees lacked sufficient information to make a well-founded decision. He did not permanently bar future renovations, encouraging the board to gather adequate information before making any independent decision.

The trustees might have assessed the propriety of closure in a number of prudent ways. This was not one.

Trump's furious response

Trump responded with a nearly 600-word post on Truth Social, accusing Judge Cooper of political bias and claiming the ruling endangered visitor safety by preventing urgently needed repairs. He announced he had directed the Commerce Department to make arrangements with Congress to transfer responsibility for the center's operation, maintenance, and management to lawmakers. A Kennedy Center spokesperson expressed confidence that an appeals court would uphold the board's decision to recognize Trump's contributions.

The legal challenge

The lawsuit was brought by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board. Beatty and other former trustees argued they were stripped of their right to vote on board decisions. After the ruling, Beatty stated that the Kennedy Center belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump. A parallel challenge by cultural and historic preservation organizations was rejected by the judge.

The Kennedy Center is an institution that belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump.

Broader context

Trump dismissed several board members in February 2025 and replaced them with allies, who then elected him as chairman. The board voted unanimously in December to rename the institution. Critics view the takeover as part of a broader effort to reshape Washington's monumental core and purge progressive values from cultural institutions. The Kennedy Center, established by Congress in 1958 and renamed for JFK in 1964, is the nation's busiest performing arts venue, home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.