Democratic lawmaker sues to remove Trump's name from Kennedy Center

Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to include Donald Trump’s name. The lawsuit, submitted in federal court, contends that the board of trustees did not have the legal authority to rename the center, asserting that only Congress can alter the name of a national memorial. The Kennedy Center was established by Congress in the 1960s as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and its name has legal protections under federal law.

Beatty, who serves as an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board, claims that the board’s vote to rename the performing arts venue the "Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" was unlawful and exceeded its authority. The complaint notes that during the board meeting where the name change was approved, Beatty attempted to voice her opposition but was muted and prevented from participating. Despite this, the board declared the vote unanimous, a point Beatty argues reflects a lack of transparency and procedural fairness.

The lawsuit emphasizes that the Kennedy Center was created to honor the legacy of President Kennedy and to function as a cultural institution free from political influence. Beatty argues that adding Trump’s name politicizes the center and undermines its mission. The complaint describes the renaming as an action more characteristic of authoritarian practices than the norms of the United States, highlighting the severity of the legal and symbolic issues at stake.

In response to the lawsuit, the White House defended the renaming, stating that Trump helped revitalize the Kennedy Center by improving its finances, facilities, and programs. Officials argued that the board’s unanimous vote reflected recognition of these efforts and marked the beginning of a new era for the institution. The administration described the change as enhancing the center’s prestige and returning it to a position of national prominence.

The new signage reflecting the updated name has already been installed on the exterior of the Kennedy Center, and the official website now incorporates the renamed branding. This move has sparked widespread criticism from artists, performers, lawmakers, and members of the Kennedy family. Critics argue that renaming a federally established memorial without congressional approval sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the integrity of national institutions.

Several notable responses have included cultural figures canceling planned events in protest of the name change. The Kennedy Center’s long-running Christmas Eve Jazz Jam, hosted for nearly two decades by musician Chuck Redd, was canceled this year. Redd cited the renaming as his reason for withdrawing, emphasizing the impact on cultural programming and the institution’s traditions.

Members of the Kennedy family have also expressed opposition. Joe Kennedy III, a grandnephew of President Kennedy, stated that the Kennedy Center’s status as a federally recognized memorial means it cannot be renamed without congressional action, likening the renaming to an effort as inappropriate as changing the Lincoln Memorial. These reactions highlight concerns that the board’s actions could have long-term implications for federal memorials and other cultural institutions.

As part of the lawsuit, Beatty seeks a court order requiring the removal of all physical and digital references to Trump’s name, and to declare the board’s vote null and void. The complaint requests the court reaffirm the center’s original name and restore its status as defined by federal law. The case underscores a broader debate over the governance of national cultural institutions and the legal boundaries that separate boards of trustees from congressional authority.

Legal experts have noted that the central issue revolves around statutory authority. The question is whether a board of trustees has the power to modify the name of a federally chartered memorial without explicit congressional approval. While the board argues that it had the right to approve the renaming, Beatty’s lawsuit asserts that federal statutes clearly limit such actions, placing ultimate authority with Congress.

The outcome of the lawsuit is expected to draw attention from both political observers and legal scholars. If the court sides with Beatty, it could lead to the removal of Trump’s name and reaffirm congressional control over memorial naming. A ruling in favor of the board could embolden other institutions to interpret their governance powers more broadly, potentially altering the management of federal cultural organizations.

The case has already sparked a national conversation about how historical and cultural institutions should be managed and protected. Many observers view the lawsuit as a critical test of federal law governing memorials, while also raising questions about the balance between institutional autonomy and congressional oversight.