Judge asked to compel Trump administration to disclose emails and texts about Kennedy Center plans

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump's administration is withholding records documenting the scope of his influence over management of the Kennedy Center, according to attorneys for a Democratic lawmaker challenging the Republican president's plan to close the performing arts center for renovations.

What happened

For context, a list of records in the Kennedy Center's possession suggests that Trump has been in "near-constant contact" with the center's management, either directly or through intermediaries, plaintiffs' lawyers remarked in a court filing on Sunday.

Attorneys for Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, are seeking a court order for the administration to turn over documents, emails and text messages that it has withheld based on its claims that they contain privileged presidential communications.

"These communications directly bear on the issues before the Court, and the claim of privilege cannot stand, " Beatty's lawyers wrote.

The bottom line

In short, judge asked to compel Trump administration to disclose emails and texts about is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.