Executive summary: The Kennedy Center has been renamed to include President Donald Trump’s name following a board vote, raising legal questions about the authority to alter a congressionally mandated memorial. This move exemplifies the Trump administration’s tendency to disregard established laws in pursuit of its agenda.
In a swift action on December 19, 2025, the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees, largely appointed by Trump and with him as chairman, voted unanimously to add ‘The Donald J. Trump’ to the institution’s name. Workers immediately began installing new lettering on the building’s facade, transforming it into ‘The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.’ The board’s decision was executed within hours, with blue tarps used to shield the work from public view. This rapid implementation bypassed traditional processes and sparked immediate controversy.
The legal foundation for the Kennedy Center dates back to 1964, when Congress passed a law designating it as a ‘living memorial’ to President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated the previous year. The legislation explicitly named the center and included provisions to prevent additional memorials without congressional approval. A 1983 amendment, signed by President Ronald Reagan, further prohibited the installation of new memorials at the site. Legal experts and historians argue that these statutes mean only Congress has the authority to change the name, not the board.
Critics of the renaming include Democratic members of Congress who serve as ex-officio board members, such as Rep. Joyce Beatty, who claimed she was muted during the vote. Historians like Ray Smock emphasize that the board is not a lawmaking body and lacks the power to alter congressionally established names. Some Kennedy family members, including JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg, have publicly opposed the change, citing the legal restrictions. However, other relatives, such as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, a board member, have not clearly stated their position.
The Trump administration’s approach to this issue reflects a broader pattern of ignoring legal constraints, often described as a ‘bulldozer’ mentality. In his second term, Trump has taken similar actions, such as renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace and attempting to dismantle agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without congressional consent. This stance is bolstered by a Supreme Court that has granted presidents broader immunity and a Congress dominated by Republicans who have largely enabled executive overreach.
The renaming has significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. government. The unitary executive theory, which advocates for strong presidential control over the executive branch, has gained traction in courts, allowing Trump to act unilaterally in areas where Congress has not actively defended its prerogatives. Legal scholar David Super notes that the administration may proceed with actions like the name change because there is little prospect of successful lawsuits, given standing issues and judicial deference.
Looking ahead, the controversy is likely to lead to legal challenges, though it is unclear who has standing to sue. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has condemned the move but indicated that Democrats will focus on other priorities, suggesting that immediate congressional action is unlikely. If courts do not intervene, the Trump name may remain on the Kennedy Center until a future administration or board decides to remove it, setting a precedent for how memorials and federal properties are managed.
In conclusion, the addition of Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center is more than a symbolic change; it represents a deeper conflict over legal authority and governance norms. As the administration continues to test the limits of executive power, this event underscores the challenges to institutional checks and balances in contemporary American politics.
