The federal judge who ordered President Donald Trump’s name removed from the Kennedy Center is now seeking details on how the institution plans to remain open to the public during its planned renovation project.
In a brief order issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper directed the Kennedy Center to submit a status report by June 19 outlining its construction plans, any board actions related to the project, and how the center intends to continue operating during renovations.
The Trump administration had announced plans to close the center beginning July 4 for a two-year, $250 million renovation project. However, Cooper blocked the administration’s effort to completely shutter programming and public operations while litigation continues.
In temporarily halting the closure, Cooper found that the board did not properly evaluate a directive from Trump, who serves as chairman, to close the facility for what he described as a “Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding” project.
The dispute stems from Cooper’s May 29 ruling that the board violated the 1964 law establishing the center by renaming it after Trump. The judge found that federal law designates the institution solely as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy and does not permit the board to alter that designation.
Following the ruling, workers removed Trump’s name from the center’s website and spent hours on June 12 erecting scaffolding around the building before taking down signage bearing the president’s name. Tarps continue to cover portions of the facade where the name had been displayed.
Trump criticized the decision in a Truth Social post and vowed to work with Congress to reclaim control over the institution.
“I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time,” Trump wrote, adding that a future reopening would “rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before.”
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Cooper, however, temporarily blocked that proposal, barring the administration from enforcing the board’s decision to “wind-down” programming activities and “close” the center’s doors beginning July 5, 2026.
In his latest order, the judge said the forthcoming status report should “apprise the Court of the status of plans for the Kennedy Center construction project, Board actions in that regard, and any other pertinent developments.”