1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I read your response regarding the attempted renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It is internally inconsistent and avoids taking responsibility. You state that you “appreciate hearing” my opposition and acknowledge that many Americans are upset by the Board of Trustees’ vote. Yet you never express your own opposition, nor do you identify any action you have taken—or intend to take—to stop it. Acknowledging public concern while declining to act on it is not leadership. You correctly explain that only Congress has the legal authority to rename the Kennedy Center and that the 1964 law establishing it as a memorial to President Kennedy has not changed. Having established that, you then repeatedly minimize the Board’s conduct by calling the renaming “informal.” If the Board lacks the authority to rename the institution, its unanimous vote was not symbolic—it was an improper assertion of power. Calling it “informal” does not make it acceptable. You note that legislation to rename the Center after Donald Trump stalled in committee. That fact underscores the problem: the renaming failed through the democratic process, so the Board attempted to bypass Congress. Your letter explains this clearly, yet stops short of condemning it. This is not a harmless gesture. As you acknowledge, artists have canceled performances. That translates directly into lost revenue, damaged partnerships, and long-term reputational harm. The Kennedy Center is suffering real consequences because it was politicized in violation of its congressional mandate. Your response treats this as incidental rather than foreseeable. As a member of Congress, you have both the authority and the responsibility to act. If congressional intent and statutory authority matter, then Congress must enforce them. Declining to take a clear position while a national institution is damaged is an abdication of that responsibility. You also reference the pending lawsuit without acknowledging what it represents: that the Board’s conduct was serious enough to require judicial intervention. Legal action is not an unfortunate byproduct here—it is evidence of misconduct. In short, your letter explains why the Board’s action is legally void, while refusing to say it should be reversed or that Congress should intervene. You cannot affirm congressional authority and then ignore it when it is undermined. If you believe the Kennedy Center should remain the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, say so plainly and act accordingly. If not, be honest about that position. I expect clarity, not hedging.