Overview
- Federal crews removed letters that bore President Trump’s name after U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled the board exceeded its authority to rename the John F. Kennedy Center.
- The Kennedy Center told the court it is in full compliance with the removal order, yet scaffolding and a large tarp continue to block public view of the restored facade.
- Judge Cooper blocked the board’s plan to fully close the center for two years and ordered the institution to file a status report by June 19 explaining construction plans and how programming and public access will continue after July 5.
- The board, chosen largely by President Trump, voted days after the removal to create a private “Trump Kennedy Center Fund,” and the center and the Justice Department have appealed the ruling to the D.C. Circuit.
- The dispute rests on the 1964 statute that names the center for John F. Kennedy, has led to performers canceling appearances, has raised questions about federal funding for repairs, and could affect programming and fundraising depending on the appeals court’s outcome.