By Maribel Velazquez
A federal judge stopped a major idea promoted by the president’s allies donald trump about him Kennedy Centerby ordering the name of the cultural institution’s leader to be removed and temporarily preventing its scheduled closure for extensive renovation.
The decision was issued by federal judge Christopher Cooper, who concluded that the center’s board of directors exceeded its powers by changing the official name of the facility without authorization from Congress and by approving a closure of two years without adequately complying with its legal obligations.
According to information published by the national press, The ruling responds to a lawsuit filed by Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beattya board member of the Kennedy Center, who questioned both the name change and the suspension of activities planned for this summer.
The judge questions the board’s decisions
In a 94-page resolution, Cooper argued that the Kennedy Center’s name is protected by the federal legislation that created the institution and that only Congress has the power to change it.
“Congress gave its name to the Kennedy Center, and only Congress can change it”the magistrate wrote in his decision.
The judge ordered to remove any reference to Trump’s name from the building’s facadeofficial materials, digital platforms and signage related to the cultural venue.
Likewise, he criticized the process by which the temporary closure of the complex to carry out renovations was approved, pointing out that the board made a decision “ill-informed and apparently predetermined.”
The controversial transformation promoted by Trump
The controversy began months ago, when Trump replaced several members of the board of directors with political allies and officials of his administration. Subsequently, They appointed the president as president of the council.
Later, the board approved to officially rename the venue “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts”a measure that provoked legal questions and strong criticism within the American artistic community.
According to the ruling, the representative Beatty was also improperly deprived of participation with a vote in a key meeting where the future of the institution was discussed.
Reaction in the cultural world
The changes promoted by the new administration of the center generated rejection among artists, musicians and cultural organizations. Various performers canceled scheduled presentations and some managers decided to leave their positions.
Although Cooper stopped the immediate closure of the Kennedy Center, he clarified that necessary repairs can continue and that the board could reconsider a temporary suspension of activities as long as it complies with the corresponding legal procedures.
The ruling represents one of the most significant court challenges against Trump’s efforts to reconfigure federal cultural institutions during his second term.
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- Trump’s name added to the facade of the historic Kennedy Center in Washington DC
