Hakeem Jeffries Criticizes Trump Administration Over Plan to Rename Kennedy Center
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized the Trump administration on Thursday over reports that it is considering renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, calling the idea “an unnecessary provocation” and “an attack on American cultural history at a moment when the country faces far more serious challenges.”
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Jeffries said the proposal reflects what he described as the administration’s pattern of “performative culture wars” rather than substantive governance. “The Kennedy Center is not a political prop,” Jeffries said. “It is a national institution that honors one of our most consequential presidents and celebrates the arts, creativity, and free expression. Renaming it would not lower costs, make people safer, or improve lives in any meaningful way.”
The criticism follows renewed discussion among Trump allies about revisiting the name of the iconic Washington, D.C., venue, which was established in 1971 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. While no formal executive action has been announced, several conservative commentators and figures close to the administration have floated the idea publicly, arguing that Kennedy no longer represents “modern American values” or that the Center has become too politically liberal in its programming.
Jeffries rejected those arguments outright, framing the debate as a distraction from pressing national concerns such as inflation, housing affordability, healthcare access, and global instability. “This administration inherited serious problems,” he said. “Instead of addressing them head-on, we’re getting symbolic fights that divide people and disrespect history.”
Democratic lawmakers echoed Jeffries’ remarks, warning that any attempt to rename the Kennedy Center would likely face significant legal, political, and public resistance. The Center was established by an act of Congress, meaning that changing its name would almost certainly require legislative approval. “This is not something a president can simply wish into existence,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “Congress created the Kennedy Center to honor President Kennedy’s legacy and his belief in the importance of the arts in a democratic society.”
Cultural leaders and arts organizations also expressed alarm at the prospect. In a statement, a coalition of arts advocates said the Kennedy Center’s name is “inseparable from its mission” and warned that politicizing it could undermine the institution’s role as a unifying national space. “The arts should bring Americans together, not be weaponized to score political points,” the statement read.
The Trump administration has not issued an official proposal, but a senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to reassessing federal institutions. “The president believes many public institutions have drifted away from representing the values of everyday Americans,” the official said, without offering specifics about what a renaming would accomplish.
For Jeffries, that explanation only reinforced his criticism. “What are ‘everyday American values’ if not respect for history, culture, and democratic ideals?” he asked. “John F. Kennedy championed public service, international cooperation, and the arts. Those are values that still matter to millions of Americans, regardless of party.”
The Minority Leader also pointed to Kennedy’s famous remarks about the arts and freedom, arguing that the Center’s name serves as a reminder of the connection between cultural expression and democracy. “President Kennedy understood that art challenges us, questions power, and reflects the soul of a nation,” Jeffries said. “Trying to erase his name from the premier performing arts venue in the country sends a chilling message.”
Republican reactions were mixed. Some GOP lawmakers dismissed the controversy as overblown, saying Democrats were speculating about a plan that does not yet exist. Others defended the idea in principle. “No institution should be beyond review,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. “If the Kennedy Center has become a hub for elitist politics rather than art for the people, it’s fair to ask hard questions.”
Still, several Republicans privately acknowledged that pursuing a renaming would likely spark backlash even among conservative voters. “The Kennedy name still carries weight,” one GOP aide said. “This could easily become a fight that costs more politically than it gains.”
Public opinion appears similarly cautious. A recent informal poll conducted by a Washington-based arts nonprofit found that a majority of respondents opposed changing the Kennedy Center’s name, with many describing it as “divisive” or “pointless.” Even respondents who expressed criticism of the Center’s programming said they preferred reforms over symbolic gestures.
Jeffries concluded his remarks by urging the administration to abandon the idea entirely and refocus on governing. “The American people are not asking for renamed buildings,” he said. “They’re asking for lower prices, better schools, safer communities, and a government that works. If the administration wants to show leadership, it should start there.”
As the debate continues, the Kennedy Center itself has remained largely silent, issuing only a brief statement reaffirming its mission to serve as “a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy and a national center for the performing arts.” For now, the institution’s name remains unchanged—but the controversy underscores how even long-established cultural landmarks can become flashpoints in an increasingly polarized political landscape.
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