A federal judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center board of trustees acted illegally when it moved to add President Donald Trump’s name to the cultural institution. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered Kennedy Center officials to remove Trump’s name from the building within two weeks, marking a significant legal setback for the move. The decision also temporarily blocks Trump from taking further steps aimed at closing the institution, after the judge granted a request for a preliminary injunction sought by U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio.
In his ruling, Cooper said the naming authority belongs to Congress, not the Kennedy Center’s board. “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” he wrote. The judge’s statement underscores the constitutional and statutory limits surrounding the governance of the performing arts center, which was established as a national cultural institution.
The ruling comes after Trump earlier this year said the Kennedy Center would shut down for two years beginning July 4, 2026, as part of what he described as a “complete rebuilding.” That plan had already raised concerns among lawmakers and others who said any decision to close or substantially alter the institution should be subject to proper legal and legislative review. Cooper’s order now places those plans on hold, at least for the time being.
The case centers on control of one of the nation’s best-known cultural landmarks and the extent of authority held by its board versus Congress. By requiring the removal of Trump’s name, the court signaled that the board cannot unilaterally rename the institution, even if trustees support such a change. The injunction against further closure efforts also suggests the court sees a need to preserve the status quo while the underlying legal questions are resolved.
Representatives for the Kennedy Center and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment after the ruling. Their responses, if any, could clarify whether the parties intend to challenge the order or comply with the judge’s deadline.
The decision is likely to fuel further debate over the Kennedy Center’s future, the proper scope of executive influence over cultural institutions, and the role of Congress in protecting national landmarks. For now, the court has firmly limited the board’s action and paused Trump’s broader plans for the center’s closure and rebuilding schedule.
