Judge orders 30 days notice
2m
A federal judge in Washington ordered the Trump administration on Thursday to give the Kennedy Center 30 days' notice before any major physical changes, including demolition.
Reposted by Steve Peers
BREAKING: Judge in Kennedy Center case orders 30-day notice be given before “any changes to the scope of the [renovation] project plans presented to the Court … including but not limited to any ‘demolition’ of the Center's main building.”
![Sep 17, 2026
MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiff's 84 Motion for an Emergency Hearing is hereby
DENIED. By September 23, 2026,
Defendants shall a file a detailed status report, supported by a sworn declaration from a knowledgeable representative of the Kennedy Center, on the "temporary closure" and emergency repairs described in Defendants' 86 Response and Mr.
Floca's [86-1] supporting declaration.
Further, the parties are reminded of Defendants' representation to the Court in the companion case D.C.
Preservation League that they will
"inform Plaintiffs and the Court if there is any change in the Board's plans that would constitute a reversal of the Center's position that the building will not be demolished and that no new structure will be constructed." Joint Meet & Confer Report (Aug. 28, 2026), Case No. 26-cV-981 (CRC), ECF No. 62 at 2. To avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events, the Court hereby ORDERS Defendants to provide such notice in writing to Plaintiffs in both cases more than 30 days before the implementation of any changes to the scope of the project plans presented to the Court in D.C.
Preservation League, including but not limited to any "demolition" of the Center's main building. Finally, Plaintiff may seek discovery regarding the subject of their 85 Notice of
Supplemental Authority to the extent permitted by the Federal Rules and the Court's scheduling order. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge
Christopher R. Cooper on 09/17/2026.
(Iccrc3)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiczncjxsdonsv27dzr7z4xmisbtqczfuogzh3qa3l7t2z65dgjrfm)
September 17, 2026 at 6:02 PM
BREAKING: Judge in Kennedy Center case orders 30-day notice be given before “any changes to the scope of the [renovation] project plans presented to the Court … including but not limited to any ‘demolition’ of the Center's main building.”
Reposted by David Darmofal, Ann Bartow
BREAKING: We have updated the Court with the latest developments in Trump's apparent moves to demolish the Kennedy Center 
The EXISTING INJUNCTION prevents demolition
The Court has ordered the government to say what the hell it is doing by 10 AM
@repbeatty.bsky.social, DDA & WLG will fight this!
The EXISTING INJUNCTION prevents demolition
The Court has ordered the government to say what the hell it is doing by 10 AM
@repbeatty.bsky.social, DDA & WLG will fight this!
September 17, 2026 at 12:31 PM
BREAKING: We have updated the Court with the latest developments in Trump's apparent moves to demolish the Kennedy Center 
The EXISTING INJUNCTION prevents demolition
The Court has ordered the government to say what the hell it is doing by 10 AM
@repbeatty.bsky.social, DDA & WLG will fight this!
The EXISTING INJUNCTION prevents demolition
The Court has ordered the government to say what the hell it is doing by 10 AM
@repbeatty.bsky.social, DDA & WLG will fight this!
Reposted by Steve Peers
Attorneys for Rep Joyce Beatty (D-OH) alert the judge that Team Trump appears to be considering demolishing Kennedy Center
New filing this morning ====>
New filing this morning ====>
September 17, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Attorneys for Rep Joyce Beatty (D-OH) alert the judge that Team Trump appears to be considering demolishing Kennedy Center
New filing this morning ====>
New filing this morning ====>
Trump just shut down the Kennedy Center for “renovations” after a federal judge blocked him from putting his name on the building.
Why is he so obsessed with taking over cultural institutions and the arts?
It’s all part of his attack on the American mind. Watch.
Why is he so obsessed with taking over cultural institutions and the arts?
It’s all part of his attack on the American mind. Watch.
Why Does Trump Hate Sesame Street?
Why is Trump so hell-bent on defunding PBS?It’s part of a larger plan — one where he can control not just what we do, bu
youtu.be
September 16, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Trump just shut down the Kennedy Center for “renovations” after a federal judge blocked him from putting his name on the building.
Why is he so obsessed with taking over cultural institutions and the arts?
It’s all part of his attack on the American mind. Watch.
Why is he so obsessed with taking over cultural institutions and the arts?
It’s all part of his attack on the American mind. Watch.
Trump is so vain he may demolish our nation's official memorial to President John F. Kennedy bc he can't graffiti his name on it.
Photos Spur Speculation About Possible Demolition of Kennedy Center
Photos Spur Speculation About Possible Demolition of Kennedy Center
Trump Air Force One Photos Fuel Kennedy Center Demolition Speculation (Gift Article)
Images captured through the windows of Air Force One show President Trump reviewing a poster with the title “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED.”
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Trump is so vain he may demolish our nation's official memorial to President John F. Kennedy bc he can't graffiti his name on it.
Photos Spur Speculation About Possible Demolition of Kennedy Center
Photos Spur Speculation About Possible Demolition of Kennedy Center
It's a staggering example of the corrupting power of authoritarianism that this institution, which the President had no legal authority over, falls victim to his narcissism. Can Trump slap his name on the Statue of Liberty? His face on Mount Rushmore? Can he demolish them if we say no?
Trump looks at a placard that reads "Kennedy Center DEMOLITION" as he lands at Joint Base Andrews tonight
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty)
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty)
September 17, 2026 at 2:02 PM
It's a staggering example of the corrupting power of authoritarianism that this institution, which the President had no legal authority over, falls victim to his narcissism. Can Trump slap his name on the Statue of Liberty? His face on Mount Rushmore? Can he demolish them if we say no?
Reposted by Ryan Enos, David Darmofal, David R. Miller
Trump looks at a placard that reads "Kennedy Center DEMOLITION" as he lands at Joint Base Andrews tonight
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty)
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty)
September 17, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Trump looks at a placard that reads "Kennedy Center DEMOLITION" as he lands at Joint Base Andrews tonight
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty)
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty)
Reposted by David Darmofal
BREAKING
Judge Cooper ORDERS the Trump-installed Kennedy Center Board to provide 30 days notice before "any changes," including the main building's "demolition."
He declines to call an emergency hearing, but demands a sworn declaration from a Board rep..
Full order embedded here.
Judge Cooper ORDERS the Trump-installed Kennedy Center Board to provide 30 days notice before "any changes," including the main building's "demolition."
He declines to call an emergency hearing, but demands a sworn declaration from a Board rep..
Full order embedded here.
![MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiff's 84 Motion for an Emergency Hearing is hereby DENIED. By September 23, 2026, Defendants shall a file a detailed status report, supported by a sworn declaration from a knowledgeable representative of the Kennedy Center, on the "temporary closure" and emergency repairs described in Defendants' 86 Response and Mr. Floca's [86-1] supporting declaration. Further, the parties are reminded of Defendants' representation to the Court in the companion case D.C. Preservation League that they will "inform Plaintiffs and the Court if there is any change in the Board's plans that would constitute a reversal of the Center's position that the building will not be demolished and that no new structure will be constructed." Joint Meet & Confer Report (Aug. 28, 2026), Case No. 26-cv-981 (CRC), ECF No. 62 at 2. To avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events, the Court hereby ORDERS Defendants to provide such notice in writing to Plaintiffs in both cases more than 30 days before the implementation of any changes to the scope of the project plans presented to the Court in D.C. Preservation League, including but not limited to any "demolition" of the Center's main building. Finally, Plaintiff may seek discovery regarding the subject of their 85 Notice of Supplemental Authority to the extent permitted by the Federal Rules and the Court's scheduling order. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 09/17/2026. (lccrc3)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:353gzbhcjbznfxegvayffqek/bafkreibuaitxs6qel7qrflsdxob3btk57sw5pyrut7yknzzdd7p5li2aie)
September 17, 2026 at 5:58 PM
BREAKING
Judge Cooper ORDERS the Trump-installed Kennedy Center Board to provide 30 days notice before "any changes," including the main building's "demolition."
He declines to call an emergency hearing, but demands a sworn declaration from a Board rep..
Full order embedded here.
Judge Cooper ORDERS the Trump-installed Kennedy Center Board to provide 30 days notice before "any changes," including the main building's "demolition."
He declines to call an emergency hearing, but demands a sworn declaration from a Board rep..
Full order embedded here.
Reposted by Steve Peers
NEW: Trump’s Kennedy Center tantrum — and the value of Beatty fighting back
Trump’s Kennedy Center tantrum — and the value of Beatty fighting back
Also: A federal judge accused the Trump administration of abusing the discovery process for political ends in a case over Trump’s “anti-DEI” efforts.
www.lawdork.com
September 17, 2026 at 3:33 AM
NEW: Trump’s Kennedy Center tantrum — and the value of Beatty fighting back
Reposted by Dana R. Fisher
The Kennedy Center was locked & fenced off today, because a court told Trump he can't put his name on it
He'd rather shut the doors on the American people than follow the law
@democracydefendersaction.org & WLG fight on w/ Rep.Beatty, & we'll get into it w/ @allinwithchris.bsky.social at 8:30👇 -TN
He'd rather shut the doors on the American people than follow the law
@democracydefendersaction.org & WLG fight on w/ Rep.Beatty, & we'll get into it w/ @allinwithchris.bsky.social at 8:30👇 -TN
Lawmaker requests emergency hearing as Kennedy Center remains closed
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), a Kennedy Center trustee, filed a motion requesting an emergency hearing so center officials can explain the closure despite a federal judge’s instructions hours earlier th...
www.washingtonpost.com
September 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
The Kennedy Center was locked & fenced off today, because a court told Trump he can't put his name on it
He'd rather shut the doors on the American people than follow the law
@democracydefendersaction.org & WLG fight on w/ Rep.Beatty, & we'll get into it w/ @allinwithchris.bsky.social at 8:30👇 -TN
He'd rather shut the doors on the American people than follow the law
@democracydefendersaction.org & WLG fight on w/ Rep.Beatty, & we'll get into it w/ @allinwithchris.bsky.social at 8:30👇 -TN
Reposted by Dana R. Fisher
This is escalating fast. Attorneys for Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) are alerting a federal judge that the Trump team appears to be seriously considering demolishing the Kennedy Center.
Alt National Park Service (@altnps.bsky.social)
This is escalating fast. Attorneys for Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) are alerting a federal judge that the Trump team appears to be seriously considering demolishing the Kennedy Center.
bsky.app
September 17, 2026 at 3:55 PM
This is escalating fast. Attorneys for Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) are alerting a federal judge that the Trump team appears to be seriously considering demolishing the Kennedy Center.
Trump administration says Kennedy Center closure is ‘temporary’ after Trump alludes to broader shutdown www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
Trump administration says Kennedy Center closure is ‘temporary’ after Trump alludes to broader shutdown
Trump has suggested the shutdown could be permanent if his name is not added to the building.
www.politico.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Trump administration says Kennedy Center closure is ‘temporary’ after Trump alludes to broader shutdown www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
We should all recognize that the recognition you get for administering federal law is….the title of President and its associated benefits. You don’t get to use the office to hold government hostage to extract additional perks.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Photo of Trump shows printout that seems to refer to Kennedy Center demolition
The image surfaced hours after the president warned that the performing arts venue could eventually be “ripped down” without his administration’s intervention. Lawyers for Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), ...
www.washingtonpost.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:33 PM
We should all recognize that the recognition you get for administering federal law is….the title of President and its associated benefits. You don’t get to use the office to hold government hostage to extract additional perks.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Reposted by Richard S.J. Tol
Update: Federal District Court Judge Christopher Coope orders the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building to “avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events."
September 17, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Update: Federal District Court Judge Christopher Coope orders the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building to “avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events."
From the WTF Dept.:
Trump spotted looking at ‘Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED’ poster
President Donald Trump has been caught up in a long-running legal battle to rename the performing arts venue after himself since late last year, culminating with its board voting to close it down for ...
www.independent.co.uk
September 17, 2026 at 3:46 PM
From the WTF Dept.:
Darline Graham Nordone supports Trump's immature narcissism and wants to be elected to the Senate to be a rubber stamp for it.
Trump is so vain he may demolish our nation's official memorial to President John F. Kennedy bc he can't graffiti his name on it.
Photos Spur Speculation About Possible Demolition of Kennedy Center
Photos Spur Speculation About Possible Demolition of Kennedy Center
Trump Air Force One Photos Fuel Kennedy Center Demolition Speculation (Gift Article)
Images captured through the windows of Air Force One show President Trump reviewing a poster with the title “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED.”
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Darline Graham Nordone supports Trump's immature narcissism and wants to be elected to the Senate to be a rubber stamp for it.
#Politics #Trump
From #NBCNews: Trump seen aboard Marine One with a poster showing the demolition of the Kennedy Center. A judge ordered today that the center board must provide him with at least 30 days' notice before any renovation plans.
www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/p...
From #NBCNews: Trump seen aboard Marine One with a poster showing the demolition of the Kennedy Center. A judge ordered today that the center board must provide him with at least 30 days' notice before any renovation plans.
www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/p...
Photos show Trump with apparent Kennedy Center demolition information
Photos taken through Air Force One windows show Trump looking at a large printout. An image and the words “Kennedy Center” and “DEMOLIS-“ can be seen.
www.nbcwashington.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:39 PM
#Politics #Trump
From #NBCNews: Trump seen aboard Marine One with a poster showing the demolition of the Kennedy Center. A judge ordered today that the center board must provide him with at least 30 days' notice before any renovation plans.
www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/p...
From #NBCNews: Trump seen aboard Marine One with a poster showing the demolition of the Kennedy Center. A judge ordered today that the center board must provide him with at least 30 days' notice before any renovation plans.
www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/p...
Kennedy Center: reports are that Trump is looking at plans for DEMOLITION
www.axios.com/local/washin...
www.axios.com/local/washin...
Fencing surrounds Kennedy Center amid demolition fears
The barriers went up as Rep. Joyce Beatty sought an emergency court hearing over the building's abrupt closure.
www.axios.com
September 17, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Kennedy Center: reports are that Trump is looking at plans for DEMOLITION
www.axios.com/local/washin...
www.axios.com/local/washin...
by Amir Attaran
“Nice theatre you’ve got here. It’d be a shame if anything happened to it.”
Trump says Kennedy Center could be ‘ripped down’ without his intervention
The center remained closed Wednesday as management cited “imminent life-safety risks” and a federal judge ordered officials to respond to a challenge to the shutdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 17, 2026 at 1:38 AM
“Nice theatre you’ve got here. It’d be a shame if anything happened to it.”
Reposted by Diane Ravitch
What makes this obscene is the building Trump's threatening to demolish if he doesn't get his way, is a *memorial* to a loved president who served his country and was assassinated while in office (two things Donald is yet to accomplish). It is like Trump threatening to jackhammer JFK's gravestone.
September 16, 2026 at 11:56 PM
What makes this obscene is the building Trump's threatening to demolish if he doesn't get his way, is a *memorial* to a loved president who served his country and was assassinated while in office (two things Donald is yet to accomplish). It is like Trump threatening to jackhammer JFK's gravestone.