Judge Rules Kennedy Center Must Allow Rep. Joyce Beatty to Attend Board Meeting A federal judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center must provide Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) a “meaningful opportunity” to participate in the institution’s upcoming board meeting, though she will not be allowed to vote. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, addresses Beatty’s claim that she was excluded from the March 16 session despite being an ex officio board member. Her legal team later admitted the invitation was sent to her email spam folder, prompting the lawsuit. Cooper’s 37-page ruling emphasized that federal law prohibits the categorical exclusion of a trustee from critical decision-making processes. The judge noted that denying Beatty access to information or her right to voice dissent on a major vote—such as one involving the closure and potential rebuilding of the Kennedy Center—would be rare and unjust. However, the court stopped short of granting her full voting rights, stating the legal basis for such a right was unclear. “While her statutory arguments are persuasive,” Cooper wrote, “the question whether the statute provides a right to vote is not clearcut.” The ruling does not block the Kennedy Center’s planned closure or renaming, which was announced by President Trump and his allies. The center, now called the Trump Kennedy Center, has undergone significant changes since Trump’s return to the presidency, including a restructured board. Trump recently shared updated renovation plans on social media, citing the need for modernization. In a statement, Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president of public relations, confirmed that Beatty was invited to the meeting and is welcome to attend.#kennedy_center #judge_christopher_cooper #rep_joyce_beatty #trump_kennedy_center #romas_daravi
