Judge asked to compel Trump to disclose Kennedy Center communications

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 20:01 · Archive

Lawyers for a Democratic congresswoman challenging Trump's plan to close the Kennedy Center are seeking a court order to compel disclosure of withheld administration records.

Attorneys for Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, have asked a federal judge to order the Trump administration to disclose documents, emails and text messages it has withheld from a legal challenge to the president's plan to close the performing arts centre for renovations.

The plaintiffs claim the administration is withholding records that document the scope of Trump's influence over the Kennedy Center's management. According to court filings submitted on Sunday, a list of records in the Kennedy Center's possession suggests Trump has been in 'near-constant contact' with the centre's management, either directly or through intermediaries. The administration has withheld the materials based on claims that they contain privileged presidential communications.

Beatty's lawyers say the withheld records include 19 text messages between Kennedy Center executive director and CEO Matt Floca and Trump executive assistant Natalie Harp regarding Kennedy Center-related matters. Eleven of those messages were exchanged on September 15, when the centre's board voted to close the facility. The list also includes approximately 180 centre-related texts between Floca and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who the plaintiffs describe as acting as Trump's 'go-between'.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper has not yet ruled on the request to compel disclosure. The White House did not immediately comment on the court filing.

How it is being reported

• Judge asked to compel Trump administration to disclose emails and texts about Kennedy Center plansPlaintiffs' attorneys challenging President Donald Trump's plans to close the Kennedy Center claim his administration is withholding records that document the scope of his influence over the center's management.News4Jax · 25 Oct, 19:42
• Judge asked to compel Trump administration to disclose emails and texts about Kennedy Center plansPlaintiffs' attorneys challenging President Donald Trump's plans to close the Kennedy Center claim his administration is withholding records that document the scope of his influence over the center's management.Clickorlando · 25 Oct, 19:42

In this story: Donald Trump · Joyce Beatty · Kennedy Center · Matt Floca · Natalie Harp · Howard Lutnick · Christopher Cooper · Washington

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