Judge orders Trump to give 30 days’ notice before any ‘demolition’ at Kennedy Center

A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must provide 30 days' notice prior to any "demolition" actions at the Kennedy Center, following President Donald Trump's warning that the performing arts venue could be "ripped down". The order was issued by US District Judge Christopher Cooper, who also demanded a comprehensive report on the center's temporary closure for emergency repairs and written notice of any modifications to the project's scope. In May, Cooper had previously ordered the removal of Trump's name from the building.

Kennedy Center executive director Matt Floca submitted a court filing on Thursday, stating that the temporary closure was due to safety hazards and would last seven days, unless extended. The Kennedy Center's board of trustees, which includes Trump, his cabinet members, and allies, voted to close the venue for two years on Tuesday.

Trump alleged that the closure was necessary for safety reasons and that adding his name to the building would facilitate renovation funding. He further stated that if the renovation funding was not secured, the venue would face demolition.

Trump's claim was supported by a photograph taken aboard Air Force One, where he was seen looking at a placard that appeared to read "Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED." On Thursday, Cooper issued an order instructing the Trump administration to give at least 30 days' notice before any alterations to construction plans, following a request from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center board member and Democrat.

Beatty had previously sued to halt changes to the Kennedy Center and to remove Trump's name from the building. The center was established as a memorial to President John F Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. Some critics contend that congressional action is necessary to make changes to the building and that the necessity for renovations is overstated.