A federal judge on Saturday ruled that the Biden‑era Trump administration must provide detailed plans for the proposed renovation and temporary closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to a Democratic member of its board ahead of a critical vote. The decision comes amid ongoing legal and political disputes over President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to shut the centre for an extensive two‑year reconstruction project.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio is entitled to receive renovation documents in advance so she can meaningfully participate in a board meeting scheduled for Monday, where trustees are expected to consider approval of Trump’s plan. The judge dismissed the government’s argument that the plans were merely “preliminary” and not subject to disclosure, calling that reasoning “bordering on preposterous.”
Beatty, an ex officio board member, is also challenging the legality of a board rule change that excluded her from voting on key decisions, though the court declined to immediately restore her vote for the upcoming session, saying she could still voice her objections.
The lawsuit stems from broader contention over Trump’s oversight of the centre, including his decision last year to install himself as its board chair, rename the institution to include his own name and pursue a renovation budget that could reach over $250 million. Critics, including Beatty, argue that only Congress has authority over changes to the national memorial and that moves to restructure governance and programming have sidelined long‑standing legal and artistic norms.
Trump’s plan to close the Kennedy Center starting July 4 for what officials describe as much‑needed upgrades has sparked cancellations from performers and drawn scrutiny from cultural and legal observers concerned about transparency and governance at the historic Washington institution.