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

A federal judge has ordered the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and blocked a planned two-year closure of the venue, ruling that the board of trustees acted illegally. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued a 94-page ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), according to the Los Angeles Times.

Judge Cooper gave the Trump administration two weeks to comply with the name change reversal, as reported by Bleeding Cool. The ruling also granted a preliminary injunction blocking Trump from closing the institution, which he had previously threatened to shut down for two years starting July 4, according to Variety.

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VarietyFederal Judge Orders Kennedy Center to Remove Trump's Name, Blocks Closure PlansBleeding CoolFederal Judge Orders Removal of Trump's Name from Kennedy Center, Blocks Planned Closure

The board had added Trump's name to the venue in December, prompting an exodus of artists, and approved a closure plan in March, Deadline reported. The backlash included cancellations by prominent artists like Philip Glass and Renée Fleming, and the Washington National Opera leaving after 55 years, according to Stereogum.

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DeadlineFederal Judge Blocks Kennedy Center Renaming for Trump and Two-Year Closure PlanStereogumFederal Judge Orders Trump's Name Removed From Kennedy Center, Blocks Planned Closure

"The law passed by Congress establishing the performing arts center made it 'crystal clear' that the institution should be named after Kennedy," Judge Cooper wrote in his ruling, as reported by Folha de S.Paulo.

The judge emphasized that any name change at the arts center can only occur with prior authorization from Congress, according to the same outlet. Rolling Stone reported that the judge stated Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name and only Congress can change it.

Rolling StoneFederal Judge Rules Kennedy Center Board Violated Law by Adding Trump's Name to Venue

The 94-page ruling halts the administration's renovation plans for the cultural venue, according to the Los Angeles Times. The decision comes after Trump announced renaming the center after himself, which led to widespread backlash including cancellations by prominent artists and the Washington National Opera leaving after 55 years, as reported by Stereogum.