News Wrap: Judge orders Kennedy Center to remove Trump’s name from building
PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-05-29 17:50:00 — www.pbs.org
Federal Judge Orders Removal of Trump’s Name from Kennedy Center
In a significant legal setback for Donald Trump, a federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to remove his name from the building. Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the venue’s board violated the law, stating, “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.” In response to the ruling, Trump announced he would pursue a full and complete transfer of responsibility for the Kennedy Center to Congress.
Trump’s Meeting on Iran Deal Yields No Announcements
President Trump spent approximately two hours in the White House Situation Room, where he aimed to make a final determination regarding a potential deal to end the ongoing conflict with Iran. However, no announcements were made following the meeting. U.S. officials described the potential agreement as a memorandum of understanding that would open the Strait of Hormuz and initiate further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of U.S. sanctions. Contrarily, Iranian officials insisted that the current negotiations do not involve the nuclear issue, with key negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserting, “No step will be taken before the other side acts.”
Legal Challenges to Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund
In another legal development, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s proposed anti-weaponization fund, which was intended to allocate $1.8 billion to compensate individuals claiming they were targeted by the justice system. The judge’s order halts the fund’s formation and any potential payouts for at least two weeks. The fund has faced challenges in multiple lawsuits and has drawn bipartisan criticism from lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Ongoing Issues with Immigration Enforcement
In Texas, an ICE agent was arrested in connection with the nonfatal shooting of a Venezuelan man during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota earlier this year. The agent, Christian Castro, faces charges of assault and falsely reporting a crime. This incident is part of broader concerns regarding officer conduct during the controversial immigration policies implemented under Trump’s administration.
International Tensions and Domestic Developments
As international tensions continue, Israel has escalated its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite a cease-fire that has had little effect. Israeli forces have pushed deeper into Lebanese territory, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that the fighting will remain relentless. Meanwhile, Romania reported that a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building near its border with Ukraine, marking the first known incident of this nature on NATO soil since the onset of the conflict.
As the political landscape evolves, Trump’s legal challenges and international negotiations remain at the forefront of national discourse, highlighting the complexities of his administration’s legacy.