Trump invokes executive privilege in Kennedy Center court fight

The White House is asserting executive privilege to block some records of President Trump’s communications from being shared in an ongoing lawsuit over the future of the Kennedy Center.

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio board member who is challenging plans to close the performing arts center for renovations and add Trump’s name to the building, is seeking documents about Trump’s involvement in decisionmaking.

In a Wednesday court filing, White House deputy counsel Joshua Hoyt invoked executive privilege over any “information, documents and communications” shared between Trump, his advisers and the Kennedy Center staff pertaining to its “management and operation,” as well as certain deposition testimony.

“The communications that Plaintiff seeks are those between the President, his advisors, and/or employees of the Kennedy Center who provided advice to the President and his staff concerning the President’s duties and the effective functioning of the Kennedy Center,” Hoyt wrote. “These communications were intended to be confidential........

© The Hill