Court Orders Donald Trump's Name to Be Removed From Kennedy Center

A federal judge in Washington ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s name must be removed from the building and all official branding of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In his opinion, Federal District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper wrote that the 1964 law establishing the venue made clear that it was to bear President Kennedy’s name, and that the current board acted unlawfully in approving the change.

“Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” Judge Cooper wrote.

He ordered that the letters added to the building’s facade be removed within two weeks and temporarily blocked the venue from closing for Trump’s planned renovations. Cooper also wrote that the current Kennedy Center board had failed in its responsibility to preserve the institution as a memorial to Kennedy.

In response, Trump wrote on social media, “Unfortunately, Judge Cooper and the Radical Left would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of, much as I have done, in many cases, throughout my life.” The Center is planning to appeal the ruling and push through with the renovations, which will begin in July.