Overview
- U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper on Saturday directed the Kennedy Center to give Rep. Joyce Beatty renovation plans, budgets, advisor lists and affected contracts, and to allow her to address the board at Monday’s meeting.
- The judge declined to require the board to let Beatty vote at this stage, noting her statutory arguments appear strong but stopping short of immediate relief on voting rights.
- The March 16 White House meeting is set to consider Trump’s plan to close the center for about two years starting in July, with leadership changes also slated as Richard Grenell departs and facilities executive Matt Floca is tapped to succeed him.
- Justice Department lawyers maintain ex officio trustees cannot vote under the center’s revised bylaws, while the court questioned those rules and ordered disclosure so Beatty can participate meaningfully.
- Beatty’s broader lawsuit challenging the December renaming to include Trump’s name and seeking to block closure or demolition remains pending, as experts warn a prolonged shutdown could drive away performers, staff, donors and audiences.