A federal judge ruled that the Kennedy Center board cannot restore Donald Trump's name to the building or rename the grounds of this arts center to "Donald J. Trump Plaza."
Judge's Ruling and Reasons
In a 22-page decision, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper referenced a previous ruling and also a congressional directive regarding the living memorial of John F. Kennedy. He wrote in this ruling: "Simply put, the defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or any other person or thing at the Kennedy Center without congressional approval. The board's decision is contrary to a federal court ruling and a law passed by Congress."
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Congresswoman's Lawsuit and Current Status
Cooper's ruling is part of a federal lawsuit filed by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio and an unofficial member of the Kennedy Center board. She filed a lawsuit last December to prevent the renaming of this arts institution in Washington, D.C. to "Trump Arts Center."
The majority of the current members of the Kennedy Center board are Trump supporters appointed by the President, who also serves as the head of this arts institution.
This decision was issued just minutes before the board was set to meet to decide on the possibility of an immediate closure of the center for major renovations. Beatty's lawsuit does not address these renovation plans.
Center officials recently informed the board that the physical condition of the main building is unsafe and that the center's financial status is nearing bankruptcy in "a few weeks."
Possibility of Naming Fundraising Campaign
In his decision, Cooper left open the possibility of naming the board's $100 million fundraising campaign as the "Trump Kennedy Fund" and also referenced the installation of any plaques or other signs in the future. He wrote: "This fund has not yet raised any money."
The board has placed Trump at the center of its efforts and has claimed both publicly and in court that the President is the only person who can engage in such large-scale fundraising or oversee extensive renovation projects and therefore deserves public recognition in the form of signs in front of this arts complex.
Ticket sales and audience attendance have significantly declined over the past year, and many prominent artists have canceled their appearances due to concerns about the politicization of the center under Trump.
In a statement emailed on Tuesday, Beatty wrote: "The law is very clear: The John F. Kennedy Center is named after President Kennedy and no one else. But President Trump has taken the Kennedy Center hostage unless he can place his name on this sacred memorial. The court has rejected this proposal for the second time. This illegality is as astonishing as it is wrong and must be stopped."
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Source: npr.org
