Trump Responds to Judge's Ruling on Kennedy Center Name Removal
The U.S. District Court has ordered that Donald Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center due to its unlawful addition by his administration, prompting Trump to express his discontent and assert that he would work with Congress on the matter.
A federal judge has mandated that Donald Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, ruling that the addition was unlawfully executed by the Trump administration. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper determined that only Congress holds the authority to alter the center's name, which serves as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
In response to the ruling, Trump criticized the judge, who was nominated by Barack Obama, and focused on the directive to remove his name from the center’s facade within two weeks. He expressed further frustration over the ruling that also halted plans for a two-year closure of the facility for renovations, stating that his appointed board members did not have the right to implement the name change.
Kennedy family members welcomed the judge's decision on what would have been Kennedy's birthday, celebrating it as a fitting tribute. Maria Shriver, JFK’s niece, referred to the ruling as an appropriate birthday present, emphasizing that only Congress could change the center's name. Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy's daughter, echoed these sentiments, hinting at a previous playful suggestion to remove Trump's name with a pickaxe.
Trump concluded his statement by indicating that the administration would collaborate with Congress to transfer management responsibilities for the Kennedy Center back to them.