Rep. Beatty Asks Court to Make Crystal Clear Kennedy Center Cannot Be Demolished, Requests Emergency Hearing
September 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a filing today, Rep. Beatty and her counsel requested that the federal judge in the Kennedy Center case make it crystal clear that his order prohibits demolition or closure of the Center. This comes after the Department of Justice filed its response to Rep. Beatty’s emergency motion to stop the Kennedy Center Board’s unlawful closure of the Center.
In his rulings, Judge Cooper has made clear that the renaming is unlawful and permanent closure would require court approval. Yet, President Trump said yesterday, “For me to go and fix it and subsidize it, I think the Trump administration should have recognition. If we don’t do that, it’s going to close and get ripped down.” Photos circulated on social media showed the President on Air Force One reading a placard that reads “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED.”
Yesterday, Rep. Beatty requested an emergency hearing before a federal district court to enforce compliance with the court’s order following the Kennedy Center’s unlawful closure. The building is currently inaccessible to the public during normal operating hours today, despite a federal court order barring Donald Trump and his handpicked board from shutting down the Kennedy Center.
“Today’s filing confirms what we’ve said all along: The Trump administration would rather defy the court than admit they broke the law by closing the Kennedy Center,” said Rep. Beatty. “The Kennedy Center is a sacred, living memorial to President Kennedy, not collateral damage in placating Trump’s ego. This memorial belongs to the American people, and I will continue to fight on their behalf to block any effort to deface it, shutter it, or demolish it.”
“Donald Trump and his handpicked Board have violated the court order—again,” said Rep. Beatty’s counsel, Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.) of Democracy Defenders Action and Nathaniel Zelinsky of Washington Litigation Group. “We’re asking Judge Cooper to make it crystal clear that this hallowed American institution cannot be demolished, shuttered, or gutted on Trump’s say-so—full stop.”
Rep. Beatty, an ex officio trustee of the Kennedy Center, is represented by Nathaniel Zelinsky, Kyle Freeny, and Alex Kristofcak of Washington Litigation Group, and Norm Eisen, Steve Jonas, and David W. Ogden of Democracy Defenders Action.
Additional Background
Under federal statute, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was established by Congress as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Only Congress holds the statutory authority to change the institution’s name or authorize additional memorials on the site. Two federal court orders by U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper repeatedly blocked unlawful attempts by the board of trustees to rename the building.
In his May 29 order, Judge Cooper also blocked closure of the facility without his authorization, stating that defendants could not undertake steps to shut down the Kennedy Center until the “Court issues a further Order dissolving or modifying [its] preliminary injunction.”
Read Rep. Beatty’s most recent filing here.
Read Judge Cooper’s initial May 29 order here.
Read Judge Cooper’s opinion on the May 29 order here.
Read Judge Cooper’s most recent September 15 order here.
Read Rep. Beatty’s emergency motion on September 16 here.
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Democracy Defenders Action brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real time the foundations of our democracy.
Washington Litigation Group is a nonpartisan team of attorneys dedicated to defending individuals and institutions that have been unlawfully targeted for exercising their legal rights and to fighting against governmental overreach.
For media inquiries, contact, press@democracydefenders.org.
