A federal court in the US has barred President Donald Trump's administration from renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington to the "Trump-Kennedy Center." This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the name of the cultural center can only be changed by Congress, as it was Congress that created the institution and enshrined its name in legislation.
"The Kennedy Center's statute clearly specifies that the center shall be named in honor of President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other official name or memorial solely by decision of the board of directors,"
The court also ordered the Trump administration to remove all signage and official mentions of the "Trump Kennedy Center" within 14 days.
In addition, the court blocked the Trump administration's plans to close the center for two years for a large-scale renovation. At the same time, the judge allowed necessary repair work to be carried out without a complete shutdown of the facility's operations.
Following the court's decision, Trump stated on social media that his administration would transfer control of the center to the US Congress.
"I have instructed the US Department of Commerce to make all necessary arrangements with Congress for the full transfer of this institution,"
Trump also stated that it is impossible to carry out a large-scale renovation without closing the center and called the court's decision dangerous for the public.
The lawsuit against the administration was filed by Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who serves on the Kennedy Center's board. She called the renaming of the institution a "flagrant violation of the rule of law."
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened in 1971 as a memorial to the 35th US President, John F. Kennedy.
Trump ready to transfer Kennedy Center to Congress after court defeat30.05.26, 04:17