Trump invokes executive privilege in Kennedy Center legal fight

What happened: Trump formally invoked presidential communications privilege to shield records from Rep. Joyce Beatty's lawsuit over his effort to close the Kennedy Center for renovations. Why it matters: The fight raises untested questions about whether executive privilege covers a president's actions as Kennedy Center chairman, and Beatty asked a judge to order the records turned over. Key numbers: Kennedy Center created by Congress in 1958; Beatty sued in December; Judge Christopher Cooper ordered Trump's name removed in May; closure plan is two years.

Trump invokes executive privilege in Kennedy Center legal fight, signaling escalation.

Trump invokes executive privilege in Kennedy Center legal fight, signaling escalation. — impact context not separately stored; see What changed.