A federal judge appointed by former President Barack Obama has prohibited President Donald Trump from adding his name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued the ruling on Friday, determining that the decision by the Trump-appointed Kennedy Center Board to include the President's name on the performing arts center was unlawful.
Lawsuit and Ruling
Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit against Trump over the matter. In his ruling, Judge Cooper wrote, "The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so." He added, "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
Additional Restrictions
Furthermore, Judge Cooper ruled that Trump could not close the center for two years to carry out renovations. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the decision.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Workers had previously added President Donald Trump's name to the facade of the Kennedy Center in December, a move that has now been blocked by the court.
