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.

On May 29, 2026, the Court issued an order denying the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. DC Preservation League v. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, No. 26-cv-981 (CRC), 2026 WL 1506709 (D.D.C). It reaffirmed the holding in Beatty v. Trump that renaming the Center in Trump’s honor exceeded Congress’s authorization, but held that the plaintiffs were not likely to succeed on any of the aforementioned claims. The Court emphasized that its factual findings were “necessarily preliminary” and may be revisited as the renovation takes place.

On June 5, 2026, the parties filed a status report wherein the defendants agreed to submit status reports regarding the renovation and inform the Court and Plaintiffs of any changes to the renovation plan which would alter their position that the Center would not be demolished or that no new structures would be erected. The defendants also expressed their intention to file a motion to dismiss but have not filed one as of July 15, 2026.

This case is ongoing.

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/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Barrington, Jessie (District of Columbia)

Casassa, Matthew (District of Columbia)

Chen, Kevin (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Anon, Pierce (District of Columbia)

Berke, Elliot (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Cooper, Christopher Reid (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Barrington, Jessie (District of Columbia)

Casassa, Matthew (District of Columbia)

Chen, Kevin (District of Columbia)

Craig, Gregory Bestor (District of Columbia)

Curlett, Charles N. (District of Columbia)

Dexter, Lydia (District of Columbia)

Fawaz, Rawda (District of Columbia)

Hayes-Deats, Caleb (District of Columbia)

Heuer, Thaddeus A. (District of Columbia)

Icsman, Marilyn (District of Columbia)

Lowell, Abbe David (District of Columbia)

McCurdy, Caitlin Grace (District of Columbia)

Oishi, Isabella M. (District of Columbia)

Reilly, Angela (District of Columbia)

Sorrell, Katherine Lee (District of Columbia)

Werkheiser, Marion Forsyth (District of Columbia)

Werkheiser, Gregory Alan (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Anon, Pierce (District of Columbia)

Berke, Elliot (District of Columbia)

Elliott, Stephen McCoy (District of Columbia)

Jankowski, William S. (District of Columbia)

Mayers, Brantley (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:26-cv-00981	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief DC Preservation League et al. v. Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts et al.	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026 Complaint
44 1:26-cv-00981	Order DC Preservation League et al. v. Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts	May 29, 2026	May 29, 2026 Order/Opinion
45 1:26-cv-00981	Memorandum Opinion DC Preservation League et al. v. Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts et al.	May 29, 2026	May 29, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 1506709

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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 Sept. 14, 2026, 3:21 a.m.

Docket for: DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE v. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	March 23, 2026	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	Clearinghouse
2	March 23, 2026	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)	RECAP
3	March 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Marion Forsyth Werkheiser on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Werkheiser, Marion) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
4	March 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Gregory Alan Werkheiser on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Werkheiser, Gregory) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
5	March 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Caitlin Grace McCurdy on behalf of All Plaintiffs (McCurdy, Caitlin) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
6	March 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Lee Sorrell on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Sorrell, Katherine) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
7	March 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Lydia Dexter on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Dexter, Lydia) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
8	March 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Jessie Barrington on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Barrington, Jessie) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
9	March 23, 2026	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	RECAP
	March 23, 2026	Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zhcn)
10	March 25, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Abbe David Lowell on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Lowell, Abbe) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	RECAP
11	March 25, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Isabella M. Oishi on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Oishi, Isabella) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	RECAP
12	March 25, 2026	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)	RECAP
13	March 25, 2026	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Kevin Y. Chen, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12320182. 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)	RECAP
14	March 25, 2026	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Thaddeus A. Heuer, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12320194. 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)	RECAP
15	March 25, 2026	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Marilyn J. Icsman, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12320212. 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)	RECAP
16	March 26, 2026	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)	RECAP
17	March 26, 2026	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)	RECAP
18	March 26, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Caleb Hayes-Deats on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Hayes-Deats, Caleb) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	RECAP
19	March 26, 2026	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)	RECAP
	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	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	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)
20	March 27, 2026	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)	RECAP
21	March 27, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Pierce Anon on behalf of All Defendants (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
22	March 27, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Casassa on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Casassa, Matthew) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
	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)
23	March 30, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Thaddeus A. Heuer on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Heuer, Thaddeus) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	RECAP
24	March 31, 2026	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction 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 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Proposed Order, # 3 Declaration (Thaddeus A. Heuer), # 4 Exhibit 1, # 5 Exhibit 2, # 6 Exhibit 3, # 7 Exhibit 4, # 8 Exhibit 5, # 9 Exhibit 6, # 10 Exhibit 7, # 11 Exhibit 8, # 12 Exhibit 9, # 13 Exhibit 10, # 14 Exhibit 11, # 15 Exhibit 12, # 16 Exhibit 13, # 17 Exhibit 14, # 18 Exhibit 15, # 19 Exhibit 16, # 20 Exhibit 17, # 21 Exhibit 18, # 22 Exhibit 19, # 23 Exhibit 20, # 24 Exhibit 21, # 25 Exhibit 22, # 26 Exhibit 23, # 27 Exhibit 24, # 28 Exhibit 25, # 29 Exhibit 26, # 30 Exhibit 27, # 31 Exhibit 28, # 32 Exhibit 29, # 33 Exhibit 30, # 34 Exhibit 31, # 35 Exhibit 32, # 36 Exhibit 33, # 37 Exhibit 34, # 38 Exhibit 35, # 39 Exhibit 36, # 40 Exhibit 37, # 41 Exhibit 38, # 42 Declaration (I. Azaroff), # 43 Declaration (A. Ballard), # 44 Declaration (C. Birnbaum), # 45 Declaration (J. Burns), # 46 Declaration (Z. Burt), # 47 Declaration (S. Cahill-Aylward), # 48 Declaration (B. Carmichael), # 49 Declaration (A. Hoagland), # 50 Declaration (C. Landwehr), # 51 Declaration (F. Leone), # 52 Declaration (E. Merritt), # 53 Declaration (R. Miller), # 54 Declaration (D. Rhyu), # 55 Declaration (Y. Santos Rivera), # 56 Declaration (J. Smailes), # 57 Declaration (D. Tiller), # 58 Declaration (P. Waddy), # 59 Declaration (E. Waytkus), # 60 Declaration (C. Yglesias Livengood))(Heuer, Thaddeus) (Entered: 03/31/2026) 1 Memorandum in Support View on RECAP 2 Proposed Order View on RECAP 3 Declaration (Thaddeus A. Heuer) View on RECAP 4 Exhibit 1 View on PACER 5 Exhibit 2 View on PACER 6 Exhibit 3 View on PACER 7 Exhibit 4 View on RECAP 8 Exhibit 5 View on PACER 9 Exhibit 6 View on PACER 10 Exhibit 7 View on PACER 11 Exhibit 8 View on PACER 12 Exhibit 9 View on PACER 13 Exhibit 10 View on PACER 14 Exhibit 11 View on PACER 15 Exhibit 12 View on RECAP 16 Exhibit 13 View on PACER 17 Exhibit 14 View on PACER 18 Exhibit 15 View on PACER 19 Exhibit 16 View on PACER 20 Exhibit 17 View on PACER 21 Exhibit 18 View on PACER 22 Exhibit 19 View on PACER 23 Exhibit 20 View on PACER 24 Exhibit 21 View on PACER 25 Exhibit 22 View on PACER 26 Exhibit 23 View on PACER 27 Exhibit 24 View on PACER 28 Exhibit 25 View on PACER 29 Exhibit 26 View on PACER 30 Exhibit 27 View on PACER 31 Exhibit 28 View on PACER 32 Exhibit 29 View on PACER 33 Exhibit 30 View on RECAP 34 Exhibit 31 View on PACER 35 Exhibit 32 View on PACER 36 Exhibit 33 View on PACER 37 Exhibit 34 View on PACER 38 Exhibit 35 View on PACER 39 Exhibit 36 View on PACER 40 Exhibit 37 View on PACER 41 Exhibit 38 View on PACER 42 Declaration (I. Azaroff) View on RECAP 43 Declaration (A. Ballard) View on PACER 44 Declaration (C. Birnbaum) View on PACER 45 Declaration (J. Burns) View on PACER 46 Declaration (Z. Burt) View on PACER 47 Declaration (S. Cahill-Aylward) View on PACER 48 Declaration (B. Carmichael) View on PACER 49 Declaration (A. Hoagland) View on PACER 50 Declaration (C. Landwehr) View on PACER 51 Declaration (F. Leone) View on PACER 52 Declaration (E. Merritt) View on PACER 53 Declaration (R. Miller) View on PACER 54 Declaration (D. Rhyu) View on PACER 55 Declaration (Y. Santos Rivera) View on PACER 56 Declaration (J. Smailes) View on PACER 57 Declaration (D. Tiller) View on PACER 58 Declaration (P. Waddy) View on PACER 59 Declaration (E. Waytkus) View on PACER 60 Declaration (C. Yglesias Livengood) View on PACER	RECAP
25	March 31, 2026	ERRATA - Corrected Exhibit 5 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 re 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,,,,,,. (Chen, Kevin) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	RECAP
26	April 1, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Angela Reilly on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Reilly, Angela) (Entered: 04/01/2026)	RECAP
	April 1, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings
	April 1, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: Defendants are directed to file a response to Plaintiffs' 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction by April 17, 2026. Plaintiffs are directed to file a reply in support of the motion by April 24, 2026. The parties are further directed to appear for a hearing on Plaintiffs' 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction on April 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 27A (In Person) before Judge Christopher R. Cooper. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/1/2026. (lccrc1)
27	April 17, 2026	RESPONSE re 24 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by 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. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit F, # 8 Exhibit G)(Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 04/17/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP 2 Exhibit A View on RECAP 3 Exhibit B View on RECAP 4 Exhibit C View on RECAP 5 Exhibit D View on RECAP 6 Exhibit E View on RECAP 7 Exhibit F View on RECAP 8 Exhibit G View on RECAP	RECAP
28	April 23, 2026	MOTION Leave to Examine Declarant at Preliminary Injunction Hearing re 24 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Plaintiffs' Request to Examine Declarant at Preliminary Injunction Hearing 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 Text of Proposed Order)(Craig, Gregory) (Entered: 04/23/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
29	April 23, 2026	RESPONSE re 28 MOTION Leave to Examine Declarant at Preliminary Injunction Hearing re 24 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Plaintiffs' Request to Examine Declarant at Preliminary Injunction Hearing filed by 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. (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 04/23/2026)	RECAP
	April 23, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	April 23, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. The Defendants are directed to file a response to the Plaintiffs' 28 Motion for Leave to Examine Declarant by tomorrow, April 24, 2026. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/23/2026. (lccrc3)
30	April 24, 2026	REPLY to opposition to motion re 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,,,,,, Reply in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed 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. (Craig, Gregory) (Entered: 04/24/2026)	RECAP
	April 24, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiffs' 28 Motion for Leave to Examine Declarant at the Preliminary Injunction Hearing is GRANTED. Defendants shall produce Mr. Floca for examination at the April 29, 2026 hearing. Each side will be allotted 45 minutes for questioning. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/24/2026. (lccrc3)
31	April 27, 2026	NOTICE by JOYCE BEATTY re Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief, (Freeny, Kyle) (Entered: 04/27/2026)	RECAP
32	April 28, 2026	ENTERED IN ERROR.....NOTICE of Appearance by Pierce Anon on behalf of 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 (Anon, Pierce) Modified on 4/29/2026 (zjm). (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
33	April 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen McCoy Elliott on behalf of All Defendants (Elliott, Stephen) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
34	April 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by William S. Jankowski on behalf of All Defendants (Jankowski, William) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
35	April 28, 2026	ENTERED IN ERROR.....NOTICE of Appearance by Pierce Anon on behalf of BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (Anon, Pierce) Modified on 4/29/2026 (zjm). (Entered: 04/28/2026)	RECAP
36	April 29, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Brantley Mayers on behalf of All Defendants (Mayers, Brantley) (Entered: 04/29/2026)	RECAP
	April 29, 2026	NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 32 Notice of Appearance,. The following error(s) need correction: Invalid attorney signature- signature on document must match PACER login. Please refile. (zjm)
	April 29, 2026	NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 35 Notice of Appearance. The following error(s) need correction: Invalid attorney signature- signature on document must match PACER login. Please refile. (zjm)
	April 29, 2026	NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 35 Notice of Appearance. The following error(s) need correction: Invalid attorney signature- signature on document must match PACER login. Please refile. (zjm)
	April 29, 2026	Minute Entry for Motion Hearing held before Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/29/2026. Declarant Charles Matthew Floca was sworn. Declarant provided testimony to the Court by counsel of record and counsel for the interested party. Oral argument submitted on the Plaintiffs' 24 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction. The Parties are directed to submit a Joint Proposed Scheduling Order regarding any supplemental briefing requested in light of today's hearing. (Court Reporter: Lorraine Herman.) (hmj)
37	April 30, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Elliot Berke on behalf of All Defendants (Berke, Elliot) (Entered: 04/30/2026)	RECAP
38	May 1, 2026	Joint MOTION for Scheduling Order by 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. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 05/01/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	May 4, 2026	Order on Motion for Scheduling Order AND Set/Reset Deadlines
	May 4, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 38 Motion for Scheduling Order. In light of the arguments made and live testimony given at last week's hearing on Plaintiffs' 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, the parties in the above-captioned case shall file their supplemental briefs by May 11, 2026. Neither brief may exceed ten pages in length. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 5/4/2026. (lccrc3)
39	May 5, 2026	TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Judge Christopher R. Cooper, held on April 29, 2026. Page Numbers: 1-126. Date of Issuance: May 5, 2026. Court Reporter: Lorraine Herman. Email: lorraine_herman@dcd.uscourts.gov. Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order FormFor the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter.NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 5/26/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 6/5/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 8/3/2026.(Herman, Lorraine) (Entered: 05/05/2026)	RECAP
40	May 11, 2026	SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM to re 24 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed 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. (Craig, Gregory) (Entered: 05/11/2026)	RECAP
41	May 11, 2026	SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM to Opposition to Plaintiffs' Preliminary Injunction Motion filed by 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. (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 05/11/2026)	RECAP
42	May 19, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS served on 3/26/2026; DOUGLAS J. BURGUM served on 3/27/2026; NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION served on 3/26/2026; NATIONAL PARK SERVICE served on 3/26/2026; SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION served on 3/26/2026; DONALD J. TRUMP served on 3/26/2026; UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS served on 3/26/2026; UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR served on 3/30/2026, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 3/27/2026., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/24/2026. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 5/23/2026.) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C)(Casassa, Matthew) Modified on 5/25/2026 to add service to federal defendants (zjm). (Entered: 05/19/2026) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP	RECAP
43	May 22, 2026	Unopposed MOTION to Stay Answer Deadline by 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. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 05/22/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	May 28, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting Defendants' 43 Motion to Stay Answer Deadline. The Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint within 30 days after this Court's resolution of the Plaintiffs' 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 5/28/2026. (lccrc3)
44	May 29, 2026	ORDER denying Plaintiffs' 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. See full Order and forthcoming Memorandum Opinion for details. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 5/29/2026. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/29/2026)	Clearinghouse
45	May 29, 2026	MEMORANDUM OPINION concerning 44 Order on Plaintiffs' 24 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. See full Memorandum Opinion for details. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 5/29/2026. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/29/2026)	Clearinghouse
46	June 5, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT 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. (Casassa, Matthew) (Entered: 06/05/2026)	RECAP
47	June 9, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Rawda Fawaz on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Fawaz, Rawda) (Entered: 06/09/2026)	RECAP
48	June 11, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to 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. Attorney William S. Jankowski terminated. (Jankowski, William) (Entered: 06/11/2026)	RECAP
49	June 12, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Charles N. Curlett, Jr on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Curlett, Charles) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
	June 16, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	June 16, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' proposal in their 46 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a follow-up joint status report by June 26, 2026. The report shall apprise the Court of the scope and progress of the Kennedy Center renovation project; propose the frequency, timing, and content of future joint status reports in this case; and include any other information relevant to the issues identified in the 46 report. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/16/2026. (lccrc3)
	June 16, 2026	Order
50	June 26, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT and Joint MOTION TO HOLD DEADLINES IN ABEYANCE FOR FOURTEEN DAYS 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. (Fawaz, Rawda) (Entered: 06/26/2026)	RECAP
52	June 26, 2026	MOTION to Hold in Abeyance 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. (See Docket Entry 50 to view document) (zjm) (Entered: 06/30/2026)	RECAP
51	June 29, 2026	ERRATA 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 re 50 Status Report,. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Corrected Joint Status Report and Motion)(Fawaz, Rawda) (Entered: 06/29/2026) 1 Exhibit Corrected Joint Status Report and Motion View on RECAP	RECAP
	June 29, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	June 29, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 50 Joint Status Report, filing deadlines in this case are suspended until July 10, 2026. By that date, the parties shall submit another joint status report further addressing the questions posed by the Court's June 16, 2026 Minute Order and any other relevant matters. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/29/2026. (lccrc3)
	June 29, 2026	Order
	June 30, 2026	Hold in Abeyance
53	July 9, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT and Joint Motion to Hold Deadlines in Abeyance by 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. (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 07/09/2026)	RECAP
54	July 9, 2026	MOTION to Hold in Abeyance by 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. (See Docket Entry 53 to view document) (zjm) (Entered: 07/13/2026)	RECAP
	July 10, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 53 Joint Status Report, the Court will grant the joint request to suspend filing deadlines through July 14, 2026. By that date, the parties shall submit another joint status report further addressing the questions posed by the Court's June 16 Minute Order and any other relevant matters or, if necessary, request another abeyance of case deadlines. The parties shall also include a proposed briefing schedule in their July 14 status report with regard to the filing of a motion to dismiss or an answer, in the event that they cannot agree on a timeline for further continuances. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/10/2026. (lccrc3)
	July 10, 2026	Order on Motion to Hold in Abeyance AND Set/Reset Deadlines
	July 10, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 53 Joint Status Report, the Court will grant the joint request to suspend filing deadlines through July 14, 2026. By that date, the parties shall submit another joint status report further addressing the questions posed by the Court's June 16 Minute Order and any other relevant matters or, if necessary, request another abeyance of case deadlines. The parties shall also include a proposed briefing schedule in their July 14 status report with regard to the filing of a motion to dismiss or an answer, in the event that they cannot agree on a timeline for further continuances. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/10/2026. (lccrc3)
	July 13, 2026	Hold in Abeyance
55	July 14, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by 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. (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 07/15/2026)	RECAP
56	July 15, 2026	DECLARATION by 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. (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 07/15/2026)	RECAP
	July 17, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 55 Joint Status Report, the Court hereby ORDERS Defendants to file an answer to Plaintiffs' complaint by July 31, 2026. The parties are further ORDERED to file a joint status report within five days of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees' early August meeting, apprising the Court of relevant developments and proposing next steps in light of the actions taken at that meeting. The Court takes the parties' proposed status report schedules under advisement and will adopt a schedule for future reports following the upcoming initial scheduling conference in Beatty v. Trump, No. 25-cv-4480, and the early August Board meeting. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/17/2026. (lccrc3)
	July 17, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 55 Joint Status Report, the Court hereby ORDERS Defendants to file an answer to Plaintiffs' complaint by July 31, 2026. The parties are further ORDERED to file a joint status report within five days of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees' early August meeting, apprising the Court of relevant developments and proposing next steps in light of the actions taken at that meeting. The Court takes the parties' proposed status report schedules under advisement and will adopt a schedule for future reports following the upcoming initial scheduling conference in Beatty v. Trump, No. 25-cv-4480, and the early August Board meeting. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/17/2026. (lccrc3)
	July 17, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer due by 7/31/2026. (lsj)
57	July 31, 2026	ANSWER to Complaint by 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.(Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 07/31/2026)	RECAP
58	Aug. 7, 2026	ORDER directing parties to file Meet and Confer report by August 20, 2026. See full Order for details. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/7/2026. (lccrc3) (Entered: 08/07/2026)	RECAP
59	Aug. 12, 2026	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Meet and Confer Report 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 Text of Proposed Order)(Craig, Gregory) (Entered: 08/12/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	Aug. 14, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 59 Motion for Extension of Time. The parties shall file their Meet and Confer Report by August 28, 2026. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/14/2026. (lccrc3)
	Aug. 14, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File AND Set/Reset Deadlines
60	Aug. 18, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by 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. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 08/18/2026) 1 Declaration View on RECAP	RECAP
	Aug. 23, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' proposal in their 60 Joint Status Report, Defendants are directed to file a copy of the "comprehensive project development plan" for construction at the Kennedy Center by August 28, 2026, alongside the Meet and Confer Report due the same day. If Defendants wish to file the plan under seal, they must articulate the precise basis for that request in their motion for leave to file the document under seal and explain why an alternative approach (e.g., making select redactions to the document) would be inadequate. The parties should prepare to discuss the implications of the plan at the Initial Scheduling Conference in this case, which will be set in due course. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/23/2026. (lccrc3)
	Aug. 23, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	Aug. 23, 2026	Order
61	Aug. 27, 2026	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by 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 (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit Comprehensive Project Development Plan, # 3 Exhibit Appendix A, # 4 Exhibit Appendix B)(Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 08/27/2026)	RECAP
62	Aug. 28, 2026	MEET AND CONFER STATEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Plaintiffs' Addendum to Meet and Confer Report)(Casassa, Matthew) (Entered: 08/28/2026) 1 Plaintiffs' Addendum to Meet and Confer Report View on RECAP	RECAP
	Aug. 31, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 61 Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/31/2026. (lsj)
	Aug. 31, 2026	Order on Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal

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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

Defendant Type(s):

Movie Theater or Other Entertainment facility

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).