Trending Now - Democratic Lawmaker Granted Access to Kennedy Center Board Meeting
WHO:
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper
Democratic lawmaker Rep. Joyce Beatty from Ohio
President Trump
Kennedy Center spokeswoman Roma Daravi
Beatty’s lawyer Nathaniel Zelinsky
Justice Department lawyer William Jankowski
Richard Grenell, Kennedy Center president
Matt Floca, successor to Grenell
WHAT:
A federal judge ruled that Rep. Joyce Beatty must be allowed to participate in a Kennedy Center board meeting.
Beatty is an ex officio member through her position in Congress.
The judge did not grant Beatty the right to vote at the meeting.
The board is expected to decide on President Trump’s proposal to close the Kennedy Center for two years of renovations.
Trump secured $257 million from Congress for the Kennedy Center in a tax cut and spending bill.
Trump announced the closure of the Kennedy Center on July 4, 2026, for two years, subject to board approval.
The board voted to add Trump’s name to the institution in December 2025.
WHERE:
Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.
U.S. District Court
WHEN:
The ruling was made on Saturday, March 13th, 2026.
The board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 15th, 2026.
Trump returned to office in January 2025.
The announcement of the Kennedy Center closure was made on February 2nd, 2026.
WHY:
Beatty sued to prevent the Trump administration from excluding her from the meeting.
The judge stated that withholding information from Beatty would prevent her from doing her job as a trustee.
HOW:
Judge Cooper concluded that the board must provide Beatty with documents about the closure and renovation plans.
The judge allowed Beatty to speak at the meeting but not to vote.
(UPDATED March 15, 2026 05:31 UTC)
A federal judge has ruled that Rep. Joyce Beatty must be allowed to participate in a Kennedy Center board meeting, where the board is expected to decide on President Trump’s proposal to close the center for two years of renovations. While Beatty, an ex officio member through her congressional position, will be allowed to speak at the meeting, she will not have the right to vote. The ruling, made on Saturday, March 13, ensures that Beatty will receive necessary documents about the closure and renovation plans, as withholding information would hinder her ability to fulfill her duties as a trustee.