Trump's attempt to remake the Kennedy Center faces key legal test
President Donald Trump’s attempt to remake the Kennedy Center faced a critical legal test on Tuesday.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., heard arguments about an attempt by Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, to block the renaming, planned closure and renovation of the performing arts center.
Beatty, an ex officio trustee of the Kennedy Center, initially brought her lawsuit last year to challenge its renaming to the Trump-Kennedy Center, an action she described as "more reminiscent of authoritarian regimes than the American republic."
"This is a flagrant violation of the rule of law, and it flies in the face of our constitutional order. Congress intended the Center to be a living memorial to President Kennedy—and a crown jewel of the arts for all Americans, irrespective of party," her lawsuit said.
In the months since her lawsuit was filed, the board of the Kennedy Center – handpicked by Trump, who serves as the chairman of the board – voted to shutter the famed institution for a two-year renovation project.
Beatty’s lawsuit has grown to cover both the renaming and the closure of the center, arguing the moves were unlawful and violated the duties of the organization’s board.
"Turning the Kennedy Center into a lifeless husk for two years would also constitute a fundamental breach of Defendants' most basic fiduciary obligations as trustees," lawyers for Beatty argued in a court filing.
Lawyers for the Trump administration pushed back on the lawsuit and argued that the renovation is in the best interest of the Kennedy Center.
"Renewal will affirmatively fulfill the Board's responsibilities to repair and improve the Center in a manner consistent with 'high quality operations' while minimizing costs to taxpayers and reducing safety risks that result from conducting renovations during public operations," lawyers with the Department of Justice argued.
Judge Christopher Cooper handed Beatty a win last month when he ruled that she is entitled to a "meaningful opportunity to provide input" and should not be "categorically barred" from speaking during board meetings. However, Judge Cooper stopped short of ruling on the weightier questions of Beatty’s ability to vote during board meetings or the legality of the changes to the Kennedy Center.
