A federal judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., must remove President Donald Trump’s name from its signage and official designation, finding that the institution’s board acted outside its legal authority.According to reporting cited by CNN, U.S.District Judge Casey Cooper determined that the law governing the center makes clear it is intended to bear the name of President John F.Kennedy and cannot be renamed through unilateral action by its board.The dispute arose after the Kennedy Center was temporarily renamed to include Trump’s name alongside John F.Kennedy’s, a move that sparked legal and political controversy.

Judge Cooper’s ruling concluded that the board violated statutory requirements by attempting to alter the federally designated name of the cultural landmark.As a result, the court ordered that Trump’s name be removed from all official signage and references associated with the center.In addition to the naming decision, the ruling also addressed planned renovations at the Kennedy Center.

While the court allowed the renovation project to proceed, it blocked an associated plan that would have closed the facility for two years during construction.

The judge found insufficient justification for such a prolonged shutdown under the proposed plan, allowing the institution to remain operational while upgrades move forward.

The decision represents a significant legal setback for the board’s attempted rebranding effort and reinforces the statutory protections tied to the Kennedy Center’s original naming.

The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding governance of federally connected cultural institutions and the limits of administrative authority in altering their historic identity.