Trump calls for Judge Christopher Cooper’s impeachment after Kennedy Center ruling
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Saturday, May 30, intensified his criticism of US District Judge Christopher Cooper, calling for the federal judge’s impeachment after a court ruling ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center and blocked parts of a planned renovation project.
The latest attack came a day after Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center could not be renamed without congressional approval and ordered references to Trump’s name removed from the institution’s signage, digital platforms and official materials within 14 days. Trump has repeatedly criticized the decision, arguing it undermines efforts to restore and modernize the performing arts venue.
Trump renews attacks on Judge Cooper, calls for impeachment
In a Truth Social post, Trump described Cooper as a “Highly Conflicted, Crooked Federal Judge” and argued that the ruling would stop plans to revive what he called a struggling institution. “The Kennedy Center is broken, unsafe, and busted, and has been for many years!” Trump wrote.
The president claimed the venue required substantial investment and renovation, arguing that the court had blocked efforts to improve the facility. He also criticized Cooper’s conclusion that the Kennedy Center board lacked authority to add Trump’s name to the institution.
“Judge Cooper also stated that the highly prestigious Board of the Center was not authorized to add on the name ‘TRUMP, despite the fact despite the fact that hundreds of millions of dollars of my time and money will be necessary for its successful reincarnation" Trump wrote.
The criticism culminated with Trump directly calling for the judge’s removal from office. “Judge Cooper and his wife, Amy Jeffress (obfuscation anyone?), should be ashamed of themselves,” Trump wrote. “Judge Cooper, like numerous other Crooked Judges on my cases, should be IMPEACHED.”
On Friday, May 29, Trump accused the judge of political bias and ignoring alleged safety concerns at the venue and argued that renovations were necessary because of what he described as years of deterioration and neglect.
Court ruling restores original Kennedy Center name
The dispute stems from Cooper’s ruling that the Kennedy Center’s board lacked authority to rename the institution after former President John F Kennedy without congressional approval.
In his decision, Cooper wrote, “The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so.” He added, “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.”
The ruling restored the institution’s original name and halted elements of the administration’s proposal to temporarily close portions of the venue for extensive renovation work. The Kennedy Center had been renamed in December after its board voted to add Trump’s name to the institution.
Trump has maintained that the venue requires major restoration and has argued that his involvement would have transformed it into “the Finest Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World.” The Kennedy Center has indicated it plans to appeal the ruling.
