To avoid unnecessary changes to the Kennedy Center, eight major cultural heritage and architectural organizations, including the Committee of 100, have filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Washington, DC. The goal is to require the Trump Administration to follow historic preservation laws and get Congressional approval before carrying out the President’s plans.
Read the full press release: https://www.culturalheritagepartners.com/kennedy-center/
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, completed in 1971, stands as both the nation’s living memorial to President Kennedy and as America’s main national performing arts center.
The lawsuit comes after President Trump stated he might “take the building down to the steel” during a two-year closure starting July 4, 2026.
It is highly unusual for so many national and regional organizations to unite in defending a single historic site. This action highlights both the importance of the Kennedy Center and widespread concerns that the administration’s plan could undermine established federal protections for historic landmarks across the country.
Further coverage can be found in an article by CNN, which includes remarks from Committee of 100 Chair, Judy Chesser. For more detailed information, the Coalition of Cultural Heritage and Architecture Groups has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.