Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.Subscribe`; document.body.appendChild(modal); modal.addEventListener('click', () => { document.cookie = 'mos-plan-select=; Max-Age=0; path=/; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC;'; }); modal.querySelector('.subscribe-link')?.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.preventDefault(); document.cookie = 'mos-plan-select=; Max-Age=0; path=/; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC;'; setTimeout(() => { window.location.href = 'https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app'; }, 500); });});]]>Alex WoodwardThursday 17 September 2026 10:00 BSTDemocratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty has requested an emergency court hearing after Donald Trump abruptly closed the Kennedy Center.Lawyers allege that the sudden closure and erection of barricades may violate a federal court order blocking attempts to rename or close the landmark building.Campaigners and lawmakers said the venue could be demolished, citing the Trump administration's earlier clearance of the White House East Wing.The Kennedy Center spokesperson said the venue was temporarily closed for seven days because of urgent safety concerns and infrastructure failures.Federal Judge Christopher R. Cooper has ordered the Kennedy Center management to respond to the legal request by Thursday morning.In fullForklift incident sparks fears Trump could demolish Kennedy Center after closureMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in