A group of eight associations representing preservationists and architects will ask a federal district court to halt the Trump administration’s renovation of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which was announced last month amid concerns that it could face significant changes or even demolition. The coalition is seeking a preliminary injunction that would immediately stop any significant redesign until requirements are met. The lawsuit alleges that the White House has already altered essential elements of the Kennedy Center's design by repainting the exterior columns white and adding President Donald Trump's name to the facade without approval. The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how historic civic buildings across the country will fare under an administration that has ignored preservation norms.