Donald Trump's name is coming off the Kennedy Center—and a federal judge just made sure of it.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on Friday that the Kennedy Center's board cannot rename the iconic Washington arts venue for the former president, according to Deadline Hollywood. The judge's decision was clear: only Congress has the power to change the name of a center that Congress itself established.
The Kennedy Center board had proposed renaming the complex in Trump's honor. Judge Cooper rejected the proposal, citing the institution's congressional charter as the legal barrier to any such change.
The decision also blocked separate plans by the board to close the Kennedy Center for two years of renovations.
The case demonstrates that even powerful boards and institutions operate within strict legal boundaries when it comes to federally chartered entities.
The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971, remains one of America's most prestigious performing arts venues. Named after President John F. Kennedy, it has hosted countless theatrical productions, musical performances, and cultural events.
If the Trump supporters behind the renaming push want to change the center's name, they will need to take their case to Congress—a significantly higher bar than board approval.
