U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper has ordered the Kennedy Center to provide a status report regarding its plans to remain operational during a planned renovation project. The report is due by June 19 and should include details about construction plans, board actions, and how the center intends to continue public operations during renovations.
The Trump administration had announced a two-year, $250 million renovation project set to begin on July 4, which would have closed the center. However, Judge Cooper blocked this closure, stating that the board did not adequately evaluate a directive from President Trump, who is the chairman, to close the facility for what he termed a "Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding" project.
This dispute follows Cooper's May 29 ruling that the board violated the 1964 law establishing the center by renaming it after Trump. The law designates the institution as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy, prohibiting any alterations to that designation.
In response to the ruling, workers removed Trump’s name from the center’s website and began erecting scaffolding around the building. Tarps now cover parts of the facade where the name was displayed.
Trump criticized the judge's decision in a post on Truth Social, stating his intention to work with Congress to regain control over the institution. He suggested that ceasing operations for two years would enhance the center's success and grandeur, although Judge Cooper has temporarily blocked this proposal, preventing the administration from closing the center starting July 5, 2026. The judge's latest order requires a status report on the construction project and any relevant developments.