I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the current actions of President Trump in appointing himself as chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and making moves to gut the board of anyone who does not share his vision. This blatant overreach undermines the integrity and independence of the Kennedy Center, a vital cultural institution that should not be subject to political maneuvering or personal agendas.
The Kennedy Center, while federally funded, operates as a nonprofit entity with a board of trustees whose responsibility it is to select leadership and ensure the Center’s mission is upheld. Any effort to consolidate power within the hands of the president by removing board members who disagree with him threatens the Center’s ability to serve its purpose as a cultural institution free from political influence.
This move to centralize authority in one individual, particularly through self-appointment and the purging of dissenting voices, risks politicizing the Kennedy Center and setting a dangerous precedent for other cultural and nonprofit organizations across the country. The board must remain the decision-making body that ensures the Center’s leadership and operations reflect its dedication to the arts and the public good.
I urge you to take immediate action to protect the Kennedy Center’s autonomy and prevent this harmful concentration of power. It is essential that the Center’s board remains diverse, independent, and capable of fulfilling its critical role in supporting the arts, rather than becoming a tool for political gain.
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter. I trust you will act to preserve the independence and integrity of this institution.
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