Federal judge temporarily blocks Kennedy Center closure and name change

WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - A federal judge has temporarily blocked the closure and name change of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper has ruled that the Kennedy Center board did not follow proper procedures before voting to shutter the center for two years of repairs.

The court's ruling also permanently halts the Trump Administration from formally renaming the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump, saying that it is "Unlawful."

Judge Cooper wrote in his ruling, "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."

The board voted to add President Trump's name to the building last year.

With this ruling, the administration has 14 days to remove Trump's name from the building and the center's website.

However, the judge is allowing the Kennedy Center to move forward with planned repair work, writing that it is "sorely needed."

The Kennedy Center was set to close its doors on July 5.