India, May 30 -- President Donald Trump's plans to temporarily shut down the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a massive renovation project suffered a setback on Friday. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board's decision to close the venue for roughly two years was flawed and failed to properly consider its legal responsibilities. The ruling temporarily prevents the planned shutdown, which was expected to begin in July.

Cooper wrote: "The trustees might have assessed the propriety of closure in a number of prudent ways. This was not one." While blocking the closure, the judge emphasized that essential repair work can still continue.

"However, the preliminary injunction will not prevent the Center from movi...