politics
Judge Blocks Kennedy Center Name Change and Summer Closure in Dispute Over Board Authority
@CBSNews reported that U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled the Kennedy Center board acted unlawfully by adding President Trump's name and ordered its removal from signage and materials.
May 30, 8:45 AM·3m read1 source
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U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued a 94-page opinion on May 30, 2026, ruling in favor of Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio and ordering the Kennedy Center board to remove President Trump's name from the institution's title, the façade of the Center, any other physical or digital signage, and official materials.
Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center's organic statute requires it to be named for President Kennedy and that only Congress can change the name. The judge also ruled that the board overstepped its power by stripping Rep. Joyce Beatty of her right to vote at the March meeting where the board approved the closure plan.
Joyce Beatty was entitled to participate in the board meeting but did not require the board to allow her to vote. In the current ruling, the judge found that the board based its closure decision on an insufficient, one-sided presentation of information and neglected to consider its full statutory obligations and potential adverse consequences.
Judge Christopher Cooper called the decision to cease operations during renovation ill-informed and seemingly preordained. The judge ruled that in ratifying President Trump's closure announcement, the Kennedy Center board was derelict in discharging its responsibilities.
The preliminary injunction does not categorically bar the board from closing the Kennedy Center should it reach the decision anew after independently balancing its obligations.
Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the planned repair work at the Kennedy Center can continue because evidence indicates it is sorely needed. D.C. Preservation League.
