Kennedy Center Board Votes Again to Close Building, Add Trump's Name

The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted again to move forward with President Donald Trump's plan to temporarily close the building for major renovations and to add an inscription crediting him, despite a federal judge's earlier order that his name be removed from the facade.

The board, made up largely of Trump allies, voted to close the center's main building while keeping a newer addition, known as the Reach, open for limited programming and as an active memorial to President John F. Kennedy, according to The New York Times, which first reported the results. Shortly after, the board voted to add an inscription beneath the institution's name reading, "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump."

Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat who sits on the board, confirmed the results along with lawyers involved. "This latest development is a transparent effort to circumvent the Court's ruling, and flies in the face of the statutes that Congress passed," Beatty said in a statement. "I will continue to fight for this treasured national monument."

In May, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered Trump's name removed from the building's facade, ruling that only Congress has the authority to rename the institution. The center removed the name in June but is appealing the decision. Cooper also temporarily blocked the closure plan after the board had voted unanimously in favor in March, finding the decision appeared "ill-informed and seemingly preordained" and that the board had failed to fully weigh its obligations to maintain the center as a memorial to Kennedy.

Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, management presented the board with three options ranging from complete closure to a phased approach addressing only the most urgent infrastructure needs. The New York Times reported the board reviewed a $250 million "renewal" plan that includes new marble floors, acoustical upgrades and a proposal to temporarily relocate the 3,000-pound bronze bust of Kennedy to another building on campus.

The Kennedy Center must submit its plan to Cooper next week, who will review whether the board conducted sufficient due diligence before the vote. Both decisions require approval by the federal judge. The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment.