Democratic US Representative Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit seeking to remove President Donald Trump's name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Last week, the board of the Kennedy Center—which Trump filled with allies—voted to rename the performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center. Beatty is one of several Democratic lawmakers designated as members of the board by US law. She claimed in her lawsuit that the renaming was illegal because changing the name requires 'an act of Congress.' The suit states that Beatty had called into the meeting about the name change, but was muted when she attempted to voice her opposition.
Beatty argues that Congress intended for the center to be a 'living memorial' to former President Kennedy, stating, '[I]n scenes more reminiscent of authoritarian regimes than the American republic— the sitting President and his handpicked loyalists renamed this storied center after President Trump.' In a statement to the BBC, the White House defends the decision, claiming Trump 'stepped up' to save the Kennedy Center and facilitated renovations and improvements.
The name change has faced significant criticism, especially in Washington DC, where the center has been an iconic landmark since it was built and named for Kennedy. Construction began on the center in the 1950s, and it was designated as Kennedy's memorial following his assassination in 1963. Shortly after taking office, Trump replaced several board members with his allies, who then voted to elect him as chairman. The center's board currently consists of 34 members appointed by Trump and 23 others designated by US law.
Joe Kennedy III, a grandnephew of President Kennedy, expressed his discontent on social media, emphasizing that the Kennedy Center is a lasting tribute that cannot simply be renamed on a whim.
Beatty argues that Congress intended for the center to be a 'living memorial' to former President Kennedy, stating, '[I]n scenes more reminiscent of authoritarian regimes than the American republic— the sitting President and his handpicked loyalists renamed this storied center after President Trump.' In a statement to the BBC, the White House defends the decision, claiming Trump 'stepped up' to save the Kennedy Center and facilitated renovations and improvements.
The name change has faced significant criticism, especially in Washington DC, where the center has been an iconic landmark since it was built and named for Kennedy. Construction began on the center in the 1950s, and it was designated as Kennedy's memorial following his assassination in 1963. Shortly after taking office, Trump replaced several board members with his allies, who then voted to elect him as chairman. The center's board currently consists of 34 members appointed by Trump and 23 others designated by US law.
Joe Kennedy III, a grandnephew of President Kennedy, expressed his discontent on social media, emphasizing that the Kennedy Center is a lasting tribute that cannot simply be renamed on a whim.
