Fox News Digital confirmed this vote happened on Tuesday. They cited safety fears and deep money troubles. Two other sources told Fox News the board approved this during a special meeting. The timing is sharp. It came just hours after a federal judge blocked a plan to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building.
President Trump’s handpicked board voted to shut the place down. A source familiar with the decision told NBC News the group argued the institution is in “dire” financial and structural shape. They claim the building is collapsing. They say it has become a danger to people. The board wants a two-year refurbishment. This is the third time since February they voted to close for repairs. The goal is to fix the roof and the walls. But the money is gone fast.
A federal judge stopped the renaming effort before the vote. Judge Christopher Cooper ruled the Center cannot add the name without Congress saying yes. He made his point clear. This ruling came down on Tuesday. The New York Post reported the move was meant to recognize his renovation efforts. The judge said it would violate an earlier ruling. His name was illegally added before.
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The board tried to link the name to the money. NBC News reported the board says the name change is necessary to save the memorial from bankruptcy. They claim the facility is in a dire financial position. An internal memo warned of “certain financial collapse” within weeks. The board said the center cannot support payroll or routine maintenance. They want to know what recognition will comply with the law. They are looking for a way to fix the debt. But the judge said no to their plan.
The board points to a real danger in the Grand Foyer. NBC News noted a partial ceiling collapse happened earlier this month. A construction consultant and the center’s director gave their view. They deem the main building unsafe for continued occupancy, foreseeing further risk to the public and employees unless renovations begin and the structure closes immediately. This draft resolution asks for a two-year shutdown. The board says the risk to employees is too high. They cannot keep the doors open with a falling roof.
Not everyone agrees with the move. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, has challenged the effort in court. Congressional approval is needed by the board to close the venue, according to her. She also says they did not check if parts of the center could stay open. Attorneys for the board say legal action stopped necessary repairs. But Judge Cooper noted his earlier order allowed for emergency repairs. He has said this before. The board still voted to shut it all down. They spent the meeting arguing over the legal fight.
President Trump joined the meeting by video. A source told NBC News he spent several minutes criticizing Rep. Beatty and the judge. He was angry about the block on his name. The board says the building is in a precarious fiscal position. They state that within a matter of weeks, the organization will be unable to meet its payroll obligations. The vote was to shut down the iconic facility. The plan was to fix it. The reality is the doors are locked today. The building will remain closed for two years while the legal battle continues.
