Photo Credit: Mark König

A federal judge says Trump must provide 30 days’ notice on any changes to the Kennedy Center’s renovation plans, including demolition. The move comes after Trump was photographed overlooking a placard indicating that demolition was forthcoming.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the Trump administration must provide 30 days’ notice of any changes to the Kennedy Center’s renovation plans, including “any ‘demolition’ of the Center’s main building.” The move fuels speculation about the future of the performing arts center, particularly after Trump was photographed overlooking a placard that appeared to read “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED.”

Kennedy Center executive director Matt Floca wrote in a federal court filing that the current closure of the main building is only “temporary” and is planned to last for seven days, with reevaluation on a weekly basis.

Photos of Trump looking at the placard were taken Wednesday night through a cabin window on Air Force One by a photojournalist covering administrative activity at Joint Base Andrews as the president landed. The full contents of the placard were not clear through the cabin window, but it appears to indicate plans to demolish the Kennedy Center.

Meanwhile, a sign outside the Kennedy Center directs visitors away from it, as it is currently fenced off and closed to the public as of September 17, pending renovation plans. But Trump himself has indicated that the performing arts center could be “ripped down” if he does not receive recognition on-site for his contributions to the venue.

“I think the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close. It’ll end up being ripped down,” Trump told reporters.

Last year, Congress allocated $257 million for renovations to the Kennedy Center, but Trump wrote on social media this week that those renovations will not take place unless his name is added onto the building.

The Center’s Trump-controlled board voted in December to rename the venue in his honor, and his name was quickly added to the facade. In May, Judge Cooper ruled that the addition of Trump’s name was unlawful and ordered its removal from the building within two weeks. However, scaffolding and tarps remained over the facade thereafter, fueling speculation as to whether it had been removed in the first place.

“Simply put, Defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’ blessing,” Judge Cooper wrote. “The board resolution bucks a federal court order and a statute Congress enacted.”

Last month, the Kennedy Center board voted to close the institution for two years for renovations, but Judge Cooper ruled that the facility must remain partially open during any renovations. Now, the board has voted to close the building immediately.