Rep. Beatty urges judge to block Kennedy Center closure over concealed evidence

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty has asked a federal judge to deny renewed requests to close the Kennedy Center for two years, according to FOX 5 DC. She alleges in a court filing that key information was concealed by the Trump administration in the ongoing legal dispute over the performing arts facility.

The dispute centers on efforts to add former President Donald Trump's name to the Kennedy Center. Although the Trump-appointed board of trustees unanimously approved the name change, a federal judge has twice ruled that congressional approval is required before proceeding.

Following the judicial rulings, the board voted in September to close the Kennedy Center, citing safety repairs. Trump stated on social media that repairs would only move forward if his name could be added to the building.

Beatty's filing claims the board of trustees did not receive arts management advice during recent meetings and were not shown a construction manager's analysis that undercuts the closure justification. The filing alleges management deliberately withheld this analysis from trustees.

The document also states that the board was told keeping the facility open during renovations would double construction costs to over $300 million, contradicting the construction manager's findings, which were withheld from the board.