Name Change Implemented Despite Objections
On Friday, the exterior of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington displayed a new name: the Trump-Kennedy Center. This followed a Thursday vote by the institution's board, which President Donald Trump chairs and whose members he appointed, to approve the alteration.
The decision proceeded despite significant objections. Members of the Kennedy family and lawmakers from both major political parties raised concerns about the legality of the change. The center had announced the board's unanimous vote on Thursday.
Trump's Reaction and Legal Questions
President Trump expressed his feelings about the vote on Thursday. "I was very honored by it," he told reporters in the Oval Office, noting his surprise at the unanimous decision brought forward by a board member.
However, legal experts have pointed out a potential hurdle. Statutes from the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations that govern the center's creation reportedly enshrine its original name in law. These experts suggested that changing the name would likely require new legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president.
It appears the Trump administration did not address these legal concerns before proceeding with the name installation on Friday.
Strong Opposition from Lawmakers and Family
Opposition was swift and vocal. Former Representative Joseph Kennedy III, a grandnephew of President John F. Kennedy, issued a statement on Thursday. He asserted that the center "is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says."
Six Democratic lawmakers who serve as ex-officio members of the board released a separate statement. They accused President Trump of attempting "to affix his name to yet another public institution without legal authority" and vowed to hold the administration accountable for what they see as a violation of the law.
Questions Over Board Vote Process
The claim of a unanimous board vote was disputed by Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member. She stated that the name change was not on the pre-meeting agenda and that she was repeatedly muted on a video call when she tried to voice her opposition. "I received a note saying that I would not be unmuted," Beatty told reporters.
In response, the center's vice president of public relations, Roma Daravi, clarified in a statement that Beatty is not a voting member and was granted the "privilege" to listen to the meeting, which all board members were invited to attend in person.
Several Republican senators, including Shelley Moore Capito, also expressed skepticism. Capito stated, "the Kennedy Center, in my view, is the Kennedy Center," and agreed with others that a name change would probably require congressional action. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the process and legal requirements would be examined.
