U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and ex officio member of the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, released a statement on Mar. 16 ahead of a scheduled board meeting at the White House.
The statement addresses concerns about governance and management at the Kennedy Center, highlighting ongoing disputes over board procedures and financial oversight. The issue is significant because it involves alleged violations of law in managing a major national cultural institution.
Whitehouse said, “I will not serve as a prop at today’s board meeting at the White House, where we expect President Trump will host his hand-picked cronies with the intention of rubberstamping his plan to shutter the Kennedy Center for years in the name of ‘renovations.’ Having previously been illegally stripped of my voting rights as an ex officio board member, my presence at this sham would serve no purpose. The Kennedy Center belongs to the American people. Rather than acting as a steward of this public treasure, current management has so severely looted the Center through self-dealing, favoritism, and waste that it now seeks to cover up those failures by shuttering the Kennedy Center altogether.”
According to Whitehouse's statement, actions taken during President Trump's tenure as Chairman included dismissing all Trustees appointed by Democratic presidents and replacing them with loyalists. In May 2025, ex officio Trustees were stripped of their right to vote in violation of statute. At another meeting in December 2025, the Board voted to rename the center after President Trump against legal requirements. Litigation is ongoing regarding these actions; a U.S. District Court found that a Member of Congress was improperly deprived of participation rights and indicated that all Board members are likely entitled to vote.
Whitehouse previously launched an investigation into financial management at the Kennedy Center after documents obtained by EPW Democrats showed lost revenue, luxury spending, and preferential treatment for Trump allies under Ambassador Ric Grenell’s leadership. Despite public promises from Grenell to provide transparency, substantive answers or financial information have not been provided to the committee.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee maintains its administrative base in the Senate Dirksen Office Building to support hearings and operations according to its official website. The committee oversees federal programs related to environmental quality, natural resources, infrastructure policy nationwide according to its official website. Shelley Moore Capito chairs this committee alongside members such as Kevin Cramer and Cynthia Lummis according to its official website. The committee handles legislation affecting environmental regulations and infrastructure across America according to its official website, influences federal policy on wildlife protection according to its official website, and collaborates through subcommittees on clean air, water resources, and transportation infrastructure topics according to its official website.
Looking forward, litigation continues regarding voting rights on the Board while calls for greater transparency remain unresolved.
