US Court Orders Removal of Trump Name from Kennedy Center, Halts Renovation Project

Trump Protests "Obama-Appointed Judge"


"Instructed to Transfer Center's Management Authority to Congress"

On May 29 (local time), a U.S. court ruled that the name of U.S. President Donald Trump must be removed from the 'Trump-Kennedy Center' in Washington, D.C. The court determined that changing the name without congressional approval was illegal.

U.S. President Donald Trump. Yonhap News Agency

The court also temporarily halted the comprehensive renovation of the Kennedy Center that was scheduled to begin in July. President Trump immediately objected to the decision and announced that he would transfer the center's management authority to Congress.

Christopher Cooper, a judge at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, stated, "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress has the authority to change it," determining that the name change without congressional approval was illegal, according to reports by the Associated Press and The New York Times.

Judge Cooper ordered the Trump administration to remove the Trump name that had been added to the center's exterior and other locations within 14 days, and to delete the 'Trump-Kennedy Center' designation from official documents. He also suspended the comprehensive renovation that was scheduled to close the center for two years starting in July, noting that the board had "neglected" to consider the impact of the closure on various cultural performance programs.

The Kennedy Center board unanimously approved the proposal to change the name to the 'Trump-Kennedy Center' in December of last year. After launching his second administration in January last year, President Trump declared a "culture war" against the progressive camp, replaced the existing board members, and assumed the role of chairman himself. He also announced that the center would be closed for two years starting in July for a major renovation.

Through the social media platform Truth Social, President Trump pointed out that Judge Cooper had been appointed by former President Barack Obama, and claimed, "Regrettably, Judge Cooper and the radical left would rather see the center fail than transform it into a place everyone can be proud of." He also said that the center was outdated and posed safety risks, adding, "Judge Cooper should be ashamed of himself."

He went on to state that if he was not guaranteed the freedom to rebuild the center physically, financially, and artistically, he would no longer be involved. President Trump said, "I have instructed the Department of Commerce to conduct all necessary consultations with Congress to fully and completely transfer the institution and hand over all responsibilities for its operation, maintenance, and management to Congress." He added, "No American president has been treated as unfairly by the courts as I have, but that's okay," and continued, "I will continue to do what is considered good work for the great people."

The Kennedy Center was established in 1963 after the assassination of President Kennedy, when the federal Congress passed a memorial bill and then-President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law. Before the renaming, its official name was the 'John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.' After the name change, a Democratic lawmaker filed a lawsuit claiming the renaming was illegal without congressional approval, and some artists canceled scheduled performances at the venue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.