Board Unanimously Approves Name Change
Democrats: "Renaming Without Congressional Approval Is Illegal"
Just one day after the name of the Kennedy Center, a landmark cultural and performing arts venue in Washington DC, was changed to the "Trump-Kennedy Center," the name "Donald Trump" was added to the exterior wall of the building.
According to the Washington Post on the 19th (local time), this work took place throughout the morning, with part of the center's building covered by blue tarps and the National Guard assembled at the site.
On the 19th (local time), workers are installing a new sign at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.
The official name of the Kennedy Center was "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." The center was established after the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, when the U.S. Congress passed a bill in his memory and then-President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law. However, after Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term in January of this year, he replaced the existing board of the Kennedy Center as part of a "culture war" with progressive groups and appointed himself as chairman. On the 18th, the board of directors, chaired by Trump, unanimously voted to change the name of the Kennedy Center to the "Trump-Kennedy Center." Although President Trump claimed to be "surprised" by this decision, in reality, his name appeared on the building's exterior in less than 24 hours.
There have been criticisms that this renaming, carried out without congressional approval, is illegal. Relevant laws stipulate that the board must ensure that no additional commemorative markers or plaques of a public nature are installed. Therefore, changing the center’s name based solely on the board’s decision without congressional approval is considered a violation of the law.
Democratic Senator Andy Kim shared a photo on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showing the installation of the "Trump-Kennedy Center" sign, pointing out, "Renaming without congressional approval is illegal and must be stopped." Roger Colinvaux, a professor of law at the Catholic University of America, criticized, "The board members who participated in this vote not only lacked the authority, but also violated their duty to maintain and manage the 'living memorial' honoring President Kennedy."
Meanwhile, places named after President Trump are steadily increasing. Earlier this month, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington DC was renamed the "Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace," and the new East Wing of the White House is planned to include the "Trump Ballroom." Some Republican members of the House of Representatives have even proposed a bill to rename Dulles International Airport in Virginia as "Trump Airport."
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