One of former President John F. Kennedy's nieces, Kerry Kennedy, accused former President Donald Trump of holding the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts "hostage." Her statement came after Trump said he would not approve congressionally appropriated funds for the center's renovation unless the building is renamed to include his name.
This development follows a federal judge's ruling Tuesday that blocked the performing arts center's board from adding a tribute to Trump on the building or site. Approximately an hour after the judge's decision, the center's board, which is reportedly controlled by Trump appointees, voted to close the facility immediately for renovations, citing safety concerns due to a piece of plaster falling from the ceiling during a recent rainstorm.
Following the board's vote, Trump posted on social media, stating that the renovations would not proceed unless his name was added to the building. Fencing was subsequently observed being installed around the main entrance of the building.
Lawyers for Ohio Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty have asked a federal judge to schedule an emergency hearing regarding what they describe as the "unlawful closure" of the performing arts center. Beatty's legal team referenced a late May ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, which invalidated the board's earlier vote to close the center. At the time, the judge indicated that an injunction would remain in place until the board approved any closure consistent with his opinion and until he issued an order to lift the injunction.
According to Beatty's lawyers, the Kennedy Center is in violation of Cooper's order, as the injunction has not yet been lifted. Congress had appropriated $257 million for the renovation last year.
In a Tuesday interview with CNN, Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, called the board's actions "a tragedy." She stated that Trump is withholding the renovation funds solely to have his name on the building, characterizing his actions as "hostage taking by the president of the United States."
"President Trump, please focus on what's important. Leave the Kennedy center alone," Kennedy appealed. "Allow us to move forward with this great art center, this monument to a slain president, and leave it alone. Focus on your job."
Kerry Kennedy's comments echoed those of her niece, Maria Shriver, who also criticized Trump's actions as a "tragedy," calling him "small minded" and "narcissistic." Shriver added on social media that "great men, devoted to public service and the public good do not act like this." She suggested that Trump "will not rest until his name is permanently connected to the name of a great president, whose memory this building was dedicated to."
Last month, the Kennedy Center board, whose members Trump replaced with his allies last year, voted to close the institution for a two-year renovation. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper's Tuesday order stated that the board's attempt to add Trump's name violated a previous court order and congressional statute, concluding that the board was engaging in "linguistic gymnastics" to place Trump's name on the grounds without congressional approval.
In his social media post, Trump wrote that the center would be closed immediately, but the "Renovation and Reconstruction... cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the Board's approved name." He added that if the ruling is negative and not overturned by the Supreme Court, the renovation would not take place.