Case: DC Preservation League v. Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

1:26-cv-00981 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: March 23, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

Eight organizational plaintiffs, including the DC Preservation League, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and several architectural and historical societies, filed suit on March 23, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, Donald J. Trump in his official capacity as Board Chair, and various federal agencies. Plaintiffs alleged that Trump seized personal control of the Kennedy Center in early 2025, arranged to be elected Chair…

In March 2026, Trump and the Board announced that the Kennedy Center would close completely for several years beginning July 4, 2026, for major structural work that could include demolition and reconstruction. The plaintiffs contended that this proposed "Project" would fundamentally alter the historic Kennedy Center without complying with federal historic preservation and environmental laws or securing required congressional authorization.

The complaint asserted thirteen counts alleging violations of multiple federal statutes, including failure to conduct required Section 106 review under the National Historic Preservation Act, failure to perform environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, and failure to obtain necessary approvals from federal planning commissions. Additional claims included the erection of buildings without congressional authority and various ultra vires violations. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to halt any demolition, construction, or transformation of the Kennedy Center until defendants complied with all applicable federal statutes and obtained required approvals. They also requested reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses.

The case was assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Claire Pollard (3/23/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72528661/parties/dc-preservation-league-v-board-of-trustees-of-the-john-f-kennedy-center/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Craig, Gregory Bestor (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Craig, Gregory Bestor (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:26-cv-00981	Complaint	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72528661/dc-preservation-league-v-board-of-trustees-of-the-john-f-kennedy-center/

Last updated March 29, 2026, 3:06 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, DOUGLAS J. BURGUM, NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, DONALD J. TRUMP, UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12312919) filed by THE COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOUNDATION, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, DOCOMOMO US. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons - United States Army Corps of Engineers, # 3 Summons - Douglas J. Burgum, in his official capacity as Secretary of the Interior, # 4 Summons - United States Department of the Interior, # 5 Summons - Donald J. Trump, # 6 Summons - Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, # 7 Summons - National Capital Planning Commission, # 8 Summons - National Park Service, # 9 Summons - Smithsonian Institution, # 10 Summons - U.S. Attorney General, # 11 Summons - U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia)(Craig, Gregory) (Entered: 03/23/2026) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP 2 Summons - United States Army Corps of Engineers View on RECAP 3 Summons - Douglas J. Burgum, in his official capacity as Secretary of the Interi View on RECAP 4 Summons - United States Department of the Interior View on RECAP 5 Summons - Donald J. Trump View on RECAP 6 Summons - Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Art View on RECAP 7 Summons - National Capital Planning Commission View on RECAP 8 Summons - National Park Service View on RECAP 9 Summons - Smithsonian Institution View on RECAP 10 Summons - U.S. Attorney General View on RECAP 11 Summons - U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia View on RECAP	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026 Clearinghouse
2	NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, DOCOMOMO US, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES, SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, THE COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOUNDATION. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-04480-CRC. (Craig, Gregory) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
3	NOTICE of Appearance by Marion Forsyth Werkheiser on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Werkheiser, Marion) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
4	NOTICE of Appearance by Gregory Alan Werkheiser on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Werkheiser, Gregory) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Caitlin Grace McCurdy on behalf of All Plaintiffs (McCurdy, Caitlin) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
6	NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Lee Sorrell on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Sorrell, Katherine) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
7	NOTICE of Appearance by Lydia Dexter on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Dexter, Lydia) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
8	NOTICE of Appearance by Jessie Barrington on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Barrington, Jessie) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
9	SUMMONS (10) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zhcn) (Entered: 03/23/2026) 1 Notice and Consent View on PACER	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
	Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zhcn)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
10	NOTICE of Appearance by Abbe David Lowell on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Lowell, Abbe) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026 RECAP
11	NOTICE of Appearance by Isabella M. Oishi on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Oishi, Isabella) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
12	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Matthew F. Casassa, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12320150. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOUNDATION, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, DOCOMOMO US, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES, SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(Craig, Gregory) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
16	ENTERED IN ERROR.....MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Angela Reilly, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12322652. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOUNDATION, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, DOCOMOMO US, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES, SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (Decl. of A. Reilly), # 2 Exhibit B (Cert. of Good Standing))(Reilly, Angela) Modified on 3/26/2026 (zjm). (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
17	NOTICE of Appearance by Kevin Chen on behalf of AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOUNDATION, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, DOCOMOMO US, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES, SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS (Chen, Kevin) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
18	NOTICE of Appearance by Caleb Hayes-Deats on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Hayes-Deats, Caleb) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
19	NOTICE of Appearance by Marilyn Icsman on behalf of AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOUNDATION, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, DOCOMOMO US, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES, SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS (Icsman, Marilyn) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER granting 12, 13, 14, 15 Motions for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/26/2026. (lccrc1)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
	Notice of Error	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
	NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 16 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Angela Reilly, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12322652. Fee Status: Fee Paid.. The following error(s) need correction: Invalid filing attorney - motion must be filed and signed by a sponsoring member of the Bar of this Court (LCvR 83.2(c)(2)). Please refile. (zjm)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
20	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Angela Reilly, (Fee Previously Paid, ECF 16) Fee Status: No Fee Paid. by AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOUNDATION, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, DOCOMOMO US, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES, SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (Decl. of A. Reilly), # 2 Exhibit B (Cert. of Good Standing))(Lowell, Abbe) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
21	NOTICE of Appearance by Pierce Anon on behalf of All Defendants (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
22	NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Casassa on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Casassa, Matthew) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER granting 20 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/27/2026. (lccrc1)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 23, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Eight organizational plaintiffs, including the DC Preservation League, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and several architectural and historical societies

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Donald J. Trump

Douglas J. Burgum

National Capital Planning Commission

National Park Service

Smithsonian Institution

United States Army Corps of Engineers

United States Department of the Interior

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Mandamus, 28 U.S.C. § 1361

National Environmental Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370f

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00981

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Appointment Authority

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of DC Preservation League v. Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47956/ (last updated 3/23/2026).