Beatty Files New Claims Over Kennedy Center Closure Bid

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty filed court papers on Oct. 30 asking a federal judge to reject renewed requests to shut the Kennedy Center for two years. The Ohio Democrat, who sits as a trustee on the center's board, said the filing contains evidence the Trump administration withheld key information from trustees.

Beatty's filing alleges the board never received arts management advice during recent meetings and did not see an analysis from the center's construction manager that undercut the rationale for closing. Managers deliberately hid that analysis from trustees, according to the filing. The document also states the board was told renovations performed while the facility stays open would push costs above $300 million, contradicting findings from the president's construction manager that management withheld. The filing further says evidence suggests President Trump or someone close to him ordered millions in donor funds withdrawn from the Kennedy Center if his name does not appear on the building.

The dispute began over adding President Donald Trump's name to the venue. A Trump-appointed board of trustees voted unanimously to approve the name change, but a federal judge has twice ruled the change requires congressional approval. Congress has allocated $257 million for repairs to the building. After those rulings, the board voted in September to close the facility. Trump said in social posts the center must shut down for safety repairs, and said those repairs would move forward only if the board could add his name to the structure.

Beatty said in the filing that trustees have a duty to be accountable. She said Trump and his handpicked management failed to follow the law and hid facts that did not fit their account. Beatty said she has a duty to protect the living memorial to President Kennedy on behalf of the American people, and said she will keep fighting to ensure the law is followed.

The filing asks the court to keep its existing injunction in place and hear testimony about alleged discrepancies between official records and the Trump administration's sworn testimony. Beatty also asked the court to consider appointing an independent monitor to protect the Kennedy Center if it is found insolvent. A federal judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on Beatty's filing on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.