Judge asked to compel Trump administration to disclose emails and texts about Kennedy Center plans

Lawyers for Representative Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat who sits on the Kennedy Center board by virtue of her office, say the Trump administration is hiding records that would show how far President Donald Trump steers the institution. They asked a federal judge on Sunday to force disclosure of documents, emails and text messages the government has kept back by asserting presidential-communications privilege. Beatty is suing to stop Trump's plan to shut the center for renovations, according to PBS NewsHour.

According to the filing, an inventory of the center's records points to Trump being in near-constant contact with its leadership, directly or through others. It lists 19 texts between executive director and CEO Matt Floca and Trump aide Natalie Harp, 11 of them sent on Sept. 15, the day the board voted a third time to close the building. It also lists roughly 180 texts between Floca and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, described as a go-between for Trump. Beatty's attorneys suspect gamesmanship and say they cannot see the whole picture without the materials.

Judge Christopher Cooper has not ruled, and the White House had no immediate comment. Floca ordered a temporary closure of the main building on Sept.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →