A federal judge ruled Saturday that the Kennedy Center must provide Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) a “meaningful opportunity” to participate in next week’s board meeting on the storied institution’s revamp, but they don’t have to let her vote. 

Beatty, an ex-officio member of the board, alleged that she was being barred from the March 16 session. Her lawyer later conceded she was in fact extended an invitation; it just went to her email spam folder. 

Rarely should a trustee, in any setting, be denied all material information and any opportunity to voice her dissent on a vote as consequential as one to close and potentially rebuild the trust’s sole piece of real estate,” Cooper wrote. 

But the appointee of former President Obama didn’t give the Democratic congresswoman all she asked for. Cooper said it wasn’t clear that she has the legal right to actually vote at the meeting, so he wouldn’t demand it yet. 

“While her statutory arguments are persuasive, the question whether the statute provides a right to vote is not clearcut, and the irreparable harm and balance of the equities persuade the Court to stay its hand, for now,” Cooper wrote. 

Trump and his allies have ushered in dramatic changes to the Washington, D.C.-based arts and cultural center since he retook office, including overhauling its board and renaming it as the Trump Kennedy Center. 

The move prompted some performers to cancel planned appearances or end their affiliations, and Trump has recently announced the Kennedy Center will temporarily close for renovations. He revealed updated renderings on social media this week. 

Despite her claims in court, Congresswoman Beatty was invited to the board meeting and is welcome to attend,” Roma Davari, the center’s vice president of public relations, said in a statement. “The Center will abide by the court’s ruling and is happy to provide information demonstrating the need for closure and renovations.”

Saturday’s ruling does not block the closure or the renaming, as it is limited to Beatty’s participation on the board.

“No president has the authority to shut Congress out of the governance of the Kennedy Center, much less unilaterally rename or demolish it,” Beatty said in a statement. “We will not stand by while an important part of our national heritage is jeopardized, and I intend to make that clear at next week’s board meeting.”