The Kennedy Center board voted Thursday to close the main venue for two years while allowing some outdoor programming, add a “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump” inscription and rename its plaza for Trump—moves that will test, but have not yet been ruled to violate, a May federal order.

Trump-aligned trustees and the White House say a concentrated shutdown is safer, faster and cheaper than phasing repairs while performances continue. Rep. Joyce Beatty and other critics say the inscription circumvents federal law and the court’s ruling, while warning that closure could undermine the center’s arts mission.

Washington’s favorite construction material remains litigation.

Harvard case dismissed: U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns dismissed DOJ’s Title VI suit, finding no plausible allegation of ongoing institutional noncompliance after the government’s June 2025 notice; DOJ is weighing next steps, and the ruling does not resolve Harvard’s other funding disputes.

Flock tightens its controls: Flock Safety said police users must adopt abnormal-search audits and case-linked search codes by Jan. 1, while its standard license-plate-data retention window will fall from 30 days to seven; privacy critics say warrant concerns remain.

The audit trail has finally been invited to the meeting.

Texas gun order takes effect: A federal order blocking National Firearms Act registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns took effect Thursday for covered plaintiffs and customers—not nationwide—after DOJ filed no immediate appeal; state restrictions still apply.

Information current as of 4:08 p.m. CT, August 13, 2026.