Judge Grills Trump Admin Over Kennedy Center Closure

0:00A federal judge in Washington just grilled the Trump administration over plans to shut down the Kennedy Center completely for two years, starting in July for renovations. During Tuesday's court hearing, Judge Christopher Cooper demanded to see hard numbers on the costs, like lost revenue from sponsorships and bookings, and question why they couldn't renovate in stages like they used to. This stems from a lawsuit filed last year by Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who's a trustee for the center. Trump's team has shaken things up since he returned, firing old leaders, installing his own board with him as chairman, and even slapping his name on, the building, which sparked backlash and financial woes. Artists and insiders are fired up. With Beatty warning, it'll turn into another White House mess like the East Wing or Rose Garden bulldozes. She doesn't trust the new exec director's promises of careful work, saying they've seen this playbook before. The judge hit both sides with tough questions but held off on any rulings. No injunction on the name change or closure yet.

1:00He probed deep into whether Beatty even had standing to sue. Another hearing drops Wednesday from cultural groups, fighting the plans too. And Cooper made it clear he wants straight answers from the defense on. Public access during closure, and what happens next, eyes wide open as this drama unfolds. I'm Cory with the story. That's your Durham News Today update, AI powered and always on.