A federal judge has intervened in a dispute over the identity of one of Washington, D.C.’s most prominent cultural landmarks, ruling that President Donald Trump cannot add his name to the Kennedy Center. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper ordered that all signage reflecting the recent name change be removed within two weeks, asserting that the authority to rename the institution belongs exclusively to Congress.

The ruling addresses the recent rebranding of the performing arts center to the ‘Trump Kennedy Center.’ In addition to the naming mandate, Judge Cooper issued a temporary injunction against a proposed two-year closure of the facility for renovations. While the president, acting as chair of the Board of Trustees, has advocated for extensive repairs, the court determined that the board failed to properly balance its obligations to the center before deciding to shutter it.

The legal challenge was spearheaded by Representative Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex officio trustee. Beyond the renaming issue, the court also ruled in favor of Beatty regarding her administrative status, ordering the restoration of her voting rights. The judge noted that the center’s governing statutes do not permit the board to discriminate against ex officio trustees by stripping them of their fundamental participation rights.

While the administration has criticized the decision and maintained that the facility requires urgent maintenance to ensure public safety, the court clarified that the injunction does not block essential capital repair work. The ruling ensures that while the center may undergo necessary improvements, its historical name and governance structure will remain intact under current law.