Support justice-driven, accurate and transparent news — make a quick donation to Truthout today! 

A photographer captured extraordinary pictures of President Donald Trump looking at a seeming plan to demolish the Kennedy Center through the windows of Air Force One on Wednesday evening, as the president has repeatedly vowed to impose his will on the 55-year-old cultural building regardless of court orders against him.

The pictures, captured by Washington, D.C. photojournalist Brendan Smialowski, show Trump sitting inside his presidential plane looking at a large poster that appears to say “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED” on top. The poster, which is partially obscured, shows a view of the building with excavation and construction equipment around it.

Other pictures showed Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte carrying poster boards while descending the steps of the plane, which had just landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. As Pulte exits, he is carrying the posters in a way that only shows the blank backs, hiding their contents. Pulte also seems to be present in the photo of Trump reviewing the poster.

Trump has taken steps to demolish or close the center if he isn’t allowed to rename it after himself, after losing a series of court battles barring him from placing his name on the building or doing major renovations or reconstructions.

“I think that the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because frankly, if we don’t do that,........

© Truthout