Trump Administration Says Kennedy Center Closure Is ‘temporary’ After Trump Alludes To Broader Shutdown

The Trump administration told a federal court on Thursday that the current closure of the Kennedy Center was a “temporary” one, despite the fact it came a day after the president said the venue was closed “immediately” following a board vote.

The disclosure — coming in a filing defending the president in a lawsuit from Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio board member, challenging Trump’s overhaul of the Kennedy Center — claimed the closure was for seven days “unless extended” to address “acute risks to public safety” and was “separate from any Board decision related to closure for ongoing renovations.”

Trump took over the Kennedy Center as the institution’s chair after he returned to the White House, filling the board with loyalists. Earlier this year, he said he'd look to close the venue for what he described as much-needed renovations, but critics have said it was a ploy to hide struggles created from his takeover.

In August, the board voted to attach Trump’s name to the building to honor the president after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked previously announced plans to shutter the facility for changes while renaming it after the president. On Tuesday, the judge again halted the board’s attempts to put Trump’s name on the building, and Trump announced shortly after that the board voted again to close the center.

Trump has suggested the shutdown could be permanent if he does not get his way.

"The closing will take place immediately, however, the Renovation and Reconstruction, which is a very large and complex job, cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the Board’s approved name,” he wrote Tuesday on Truth Social shortly after the board vote. “If the ruling is a negative one, which it should not be, and is not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Reconstruction and the Renovation of the Kennedy Center will not take place.”

Matt Floca, the Kennedy Center’s executive director, said the performing arts venue will remain closed for seven days, telling the court in a written declaration that the building poses “acute risks to public safety resulting from continued structural deterioration.”

Floca has previously testified that he speaks regularly with Trump, who has taken a granular interest in the building’s interior design.

The developments comes after Trump was seen viewing a poster that appeared to say, in part, “Kennedy Center DEMOLISH” on Wednesday night through the windows of Air Force One.

On Wednesday, Beatty filed a motion requesting an emergency hearing to force the Kennedy Center to follow the court’s order and reopen. A member of Beatty’s litigation team said in court filing that after visiting the building, renovations look more extensive than planned as fences and gates block off large portions of the facility.

“A temporary closure of the access is required at this time to ensure that the building remains safe for public access,” Floca said in the declaration. “Upon further assessment, I intend to communicate additional changes to the building’s safe level of access to Center staff as soon as I am able.”

Floca said his decision was based on assessment of the building’s roof terrace canopy in June and July and the structural failure of ceiling plaster on Sept. 4 after severe storms in Washington.

Beatty and other critics of Trump have charged that the administration is trying to jam through changes to the Kennedy Center before they can be challenged or reversed. Trump has moved at breakneck speed on other projects in Washington, including the White House ballroom, and later claimed projects were too far along to be stopped.

“Closing the Kennedy Center without Judge Cooper’s approval appears to directly violate his order. This is an assault on the rule of law,” said Norm Eisen, a lawyer for Beatty who has repeatedly challenged the Trump administration, after the lawmaker filed a motion requesting an emergency hearing.

“The board cannot simply ignore Judge Cooper’s rulings whenever it suits them. In this country, no one — including the president — is above the law,” he added.