Congress Must Block the Illegal Renaming of the Kennedy Center

I am writing to urge Congress to immediately intervene to stop the reported attempt to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” Federal law is unambiguous. The building “shall be designated as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” and Congress established it as the sole national memorial to President John F. Kennedy within Washington, D.C. and its environs. Nothing in the authorizing statutes grants the Board of Trustees authority to rename or rebrand this national memorial. Only an act of Congress can change a designation set in federal law. Joe Kennedy III, President Kennedy’s grandnephew and a former member of Congress, has publicly stated that the Kennedy Center “can no sooner be renamed than the Lincoln Memorial,” regardless of claims made by the White House or the Board. That assessment aligns with the plain text of the statute and longstanding constitutional principles regarding congressional authority over federal memorials. Serious procedural concerns further undermine the legitimacy of this action. Despite public claims of a “unanimous” vote, at least one ex-officio board member—Representative Joyce Beatty—has stated she was muted during the meeting and prevented from voicing opposition. This raises grave questions about transparency, due process, and whether the Board acted in bad faith to evade legal scrutiny. Allowing politically aligned appointees to unilaterally alter a congressionally established national memorial would set a dangerous precedent. It would invite future administrations to rewrite history, law, and public institutions by fiat rather than through democratic processes. I urge you to act immediately to: • Publicly affirm that only Congress has the authority to rename the Kennedy Center • Initiate oversight hearings into the Board’s actions and claims • Require a legal review by congressional counsel or GAO • Prohibit the use of federal funds for any unauthorized signage, branding, or contracts • Pass clarifying legislation reaffirming the Kennedy Center’s statutory name, if necessary This is not about partisanship. It is about the rule of law, separation of powers, and protecting a national memorial created by Congress.