Kennedy Center Board Approves Trump Name on Facade
The move may circumvent a ruling to remove the president's name, sparking a new legal fight over the Kennedy Center's name and future.
The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts board in Washington, D.C. voted on Thursday to add President Donald Trump's name to the building's facade and initiate a two-year closure for major renovations, according to U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. The decision comes after a federal judge ordered Trump's name removed in May, citing that only Congress can alter the institution's name or authorize major changes.
Beatty, a Democrat and ex-officio board member, expressed her determination to protect the national monument. This move is seen as an attempt to bypass the court's ruling and contradicts the laws passed by Congress. Trump's interest in the Kennedy Center began after his election, leading to his appointment as chairman and the addition of his name to the building in December.
The decision faced legal challenges, with Judge Christopher Cooper ruling that the center must bear only President Kennedy's name. The board's latest vote aims to rename the site as "President Donald J. Trump Plaza" and add a plaque stating that the center has been "restored and renovated by President Donald J. Trump."
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