Trending Now - Historic Groups Take Legal Action Against Trump Over Kennedy Center Plans
WHO:
Liz Huston, White House spokesperson
President Trump
National Trust for Historic Preservation
American Institute of Architects
DC Preservation League
American Society of Landscape Architects
Carol Quillen, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Judy Chesser, chair of the Committee of 100 for the Federal City
Joyce Beatty, Democratic congresswoman
Richard Grenell, former president of the Kennedy Center
Matt Floca, vice president of facilities operations at the Kennedy Center
WHAT:
The lawsuit was filed by eight groups, including the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, the Cultural Landscape Foundation, the DC Preservation League, Docomomo US, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which collectively have over 1 million members.
The lawsuit seeks to have the White House and the Kennedy Center board comply with existing historic preservation laws and secure Congress' approval before moving ahead with the renovations.
Trump stated that he is committed to making the "Trump-Kennedy Center the finest performing arts facility in the world."
A coalition of preservation groups is suing to stop major physical changes at the Kennedy Center under President Trump's renovation plans.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, DC, asking a judge to indefinitely halt the renovation project.
The Kennedy Center is set to undergo a two-year closure starting in July 2026 for renovations.
The renovation is estimated to require over $250 million for maintenance projects.
Approximately 75 to 175 of the Center’s roughly 300 employees will be impacted by the closure.
The lawsuit claims the renovation process bypassed approvals from Congress and key commissions, violating historic preservation laws.
WHERE:
Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
Federal court in Washington, DC
WHEN:
The center's board voted to close the arts complex for two years of renovations, beginning just after July 4 celebrations in 2026.
The lawsuit was filed on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
The two-year closure for renovations is set to begin in July 2026.
Congress approved $257 million for the Kennedy Center in 2025.
A comprehensive building plan was outlined in 2021.
WHY:
The groups argue that the Kennedy Center has stood since 1971 "as a living memorial to a slain president, a national gathering place for the arts and a defining landmark within the monumental core of the Nation's capital."
The preservation groups are concerned that the renovation will be more extensive than publicly stated and could result in irreparable loss.
The groups argue that the renovation process lacks public input and congressional approval as required by law.
HOW:
Trump held a press conference with the Kennedy Center board and other close allies, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and casino magnate Steve Wynn, just before the board's vote.
The lawsuit was brought by eight groups represented by a trio of law firms involved in other cases related to Trump’s developments in Washington.
The complaint requests a pause on any further work on the project until standard review and consultation processes are completed with relevant entities.
(UPDATED March 23, 2026 23:41 UTC)
Today, a coalition of eight groups, including the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has filed a lawsuit against the White House and the Kennedy Center board, seeking to ensure compliance with historic preservation laws before renovations begin. The Kennedy Center's board recently voted to close the arts complex for two years of renovations starting just after July 4 celebrations in 2026, while Trump has expressed his commitment to transforming it into the "finest performing arts facility in the world." This lawsuit emphasizes the importance of the Kennedy Center as a living memorial to President Kennedy and a significant landmark in the nation's capital.
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(UPDATED March 23, 2026 17:57 UTC)
A coalition of preservation groups has filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop major renovations at the Kennedy Center under Trump’s plans, claiming the process bypassed necessary approvals and violated historic preservation laws. The lawsuit, filed last Monday, seeks to halt the project indefinitely as the Kennedy Center prepares for a two-year closure starting in July 2026, which will impact up to 175 of its 300 employees. The groups are concerned that the renovations, estimated to cost over $250 million, could lead to irreparable loss and argue that the process lacks public input and congressional oversight.