8:02The designation of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” now incorporates “The Donald J. Trump,” as observed on December 19, 2025, in Washington, DC.Heather Diehl/Getty Images
House Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty initiated legal action against President Donald Trump on Monday, aiming to compel the removal of his name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The lawsuit filed by the congresswoman, who serves as an ex-officio member of the board, contends that the board’s decision to rename the facility was unlawful since congressional approval is necessary for such a change.
Rep. Joyce Beatty participates in the House Financial Services Committee meeting on May 7, 2025, in Washington, DC.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
"This represents a blatant infringement of the legal framework, and it undermines our constitutional principles. Congress intended for the Center to function as a living tribute to President Kennedy — and to serve as a premier cultural institution for all Americans, regardless of their political affiliations. Unless this Court steps in, the Defendants will persist in defying Congress and obstructing the law for inappropriate purposes," the lawsuit asserts.
When asked for remarks regarding the lawsuit, White House spokesperson Liz Huston instead conveyed to ABC News that the Kennedy Center’s board decided to rename it after Trump because he "stepped up and saved the old Kennedy Center …"
The White House disclosed last week that the board at the Kennedy Center, chaired by Trump and composed of his appointees, voted "unanimously" to change the name of the building to the "Trump-Kennedy Center" — with workers adding Trump’s name to the building’s facade the following day.
The designation of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” now incorporates “The Donald J. Trump,” as observed on December 19, 2025, in Washington, DC.Heather Diehl/Getty Images
However, Beatty claimed she was muted during the call while the vote took place and could not express her dissent regarding the name change.
Beatty informed reporters last week that she attempted to voice her opposition to the name alteration.
"I indicated, 'I have something to say,' and I was muted. As I continued to try to unmute myself to pose questions and express my disagreement with this, I received a message stating that I would not be unmuted," Beatty recounted to reporters. "I was not permitted to cast my vote because I was muted. I would not have supported this."
Beatty is represented by Norman Eisen, who served as White House ethics counsel during the Obama administration, and Nathaniel Zelinsky, co-counsel of the Washington Litigation Group.
"The President and his supporters lack the legal authority to rename the Kennedy Center," the two stated in a declaration.
Last week, Trump remarked that his administration "saved" the historic arts and culture center.
"We're preserving the building. We salvaged the building. The structure was in such poor condition — physically, financially, in every conceivable manner," he stated. "And now it's very solid and very robust."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com