1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep alarm at the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees’ decision to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” and the fact that signage reflecting this change was installed today. As you know, Congress established the Kennedy Center by statute in 1964m as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Federal law explicitly designates the name of the institution, and there is no ambiguity: only Congress has the authority to change it. Yet the board — chaired by President Trump and composed largely of his appointees — has acted unilaterally, without congressional approval, and in direct conflict with the law. This is not a symbolic dispute. It is a clear challenge to congressional authority and an attempt to rewrite a congressionally established memorial through executive influence. The speed with which signage was installed, less than 24 hours after the vote, underscores the urgency of congressional intervention. I urge you to take immediate action to: • Assert Congress’s sole authority over the naming of federal cultural institutions. • Investigate the legality of the board’s actions. • Introduce or support legislation reaffirming the Kennedy Center’s statutory name and preventing unauthorized alterations. • Consider all appropriate remedies, including censure or impeachment proceedings, should it be determined that the President knowingly violated federal law or encouraged others to do so. The integrity of our institutions — and the separation of powers itself — depends on Congress responding swiftly and decisively. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued service to our district.