Lindsey Graham slams ruling against Trump Kennedy Center revamp: ‘What a judicial power grab’
WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham on Friday, May 29, strongly criticized the federal judge's ruling that stopped the Kennedy Center renovations and ordered to remove President Donald Trump's name from lthe building.
Graham called the decision "what a judicial power grab" in a fierce social media post.
Graham slams Federal court's decision
Senator Graham expressed total disbelief that a federal judge would interfere with the planned upgrades for the performing arts venue and argued that the court was overstepping its boundaries by blocking the project.
“When it comes to federal district court judges and President Trump, things are getting way out of control,” Graham stated.
“I can’t believe a federal judge would deny President Trump —working with the Trump Kennedy Center Board—the ability to close the center for renovations."
Graham added that he would "be honored to work with President Trump and his team to make sure the renovations move forward."
He also backed keeping Trump's name on the building, saying Trump has done "more than any president since the founding of the center to renovate it, protect it and have it flourish."
When it comes to federal district court judges and President Trump, things are getting way out of control.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 29, 2026
I can’t believe a federal judge would deny President Trump — working with the Trump Kennedy Center Board — the ability to close the center for renovations.
What a… https://t.co/XLAwuA2R7t
Trump slams Obama-appointed judge over Kennedy Center order
Graham's comments come right after a statement from President Trump.
Trump slammed District Judge Christopher Cooper for stopping the project and ordering his name to be taken off the venue.
“Shockingly, a Judge appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, Christopher Cooper, ruled that The Kennedy Center... is not allowed to close for these renovations, which would not be possible to properly do without such a closure,” Trump wrote.
“Additionally, Judge Cooper ruled that the 36 Member Board of Trustees, which unanimously voted to add the name 'TRUMP' onto the former Kennedy Center... did not have the right to do such an addition, and the name, 'TRUMP,' must be removed."
Trump added that the radical left would rather see the center die than have him transform it.
He stated that he will work with Congress to transfer the institution back to them, as he has no interest in a hopeless journey into "NEVER NEVER LAND" if he is not free to fix it.
Trump's name stripped by order
A federal judge has mandated the immediate removal of Donald Trump’s name from the official title of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, the Washington, DC court made it clear that the prominent cultural landmark cannot be renamed without formal approval from Congress.
The judicial order also blocks the administration's plans to temporarily shut down the facility during its upcoming multi-million-dollar modernization project.
Under the strict terms of the mandate, officials have been given exactly 14 days to strip Trump’s name from the building's facade, physical signs, online branding, and all official marketing materials.