Trump floats nuclear option in Kennedy Center fight

▪ Trump hints at demolishing Kennedy Center

▪ Florida GOP congresswoman breaks with Trump

President Trump is digging in on the battle to put his name on the Kennedy Center, raising the possibility that his administration could have the institution torn down entirely if he doesn’t get his way.

The president was seen on Air Force One on Wednesday night looking at a placard that appears to show the potential demolition of the center. He suggested during a campaign stop in North Carolina that day that his administration could demolish the center if it doesn’t honor Trump in addition to former President John F. Kennedy , and close for renovations of his design.

“So, for the Trump administration, for me, to get involved and to take that on long term and to carry it or to raise money to carry it, I think that the Trump administration should certainly have recognition because, frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close,” he told reporters. “It’ll end up being ripped down. It’s in very, very bad shape, very dangerous shape.”

The increasingly dire warnings from the president follow the latest vote from the center’s board Tuesday to close the main building for renovations. Officials said the center faces “certain fiscal collapse” within weeks and that only an effort to recognize Trump’s contributions to the center would allow him to raise enough money to save it.

The board’s plan to rename the center has now been blocked twice by a federal judge. It was first barred from adding Trump’s name alongside Kennedy’s and more recently prevented from carrying out its alternative plan to inscribe Trump’s name on the building and rename the campus for him.

The Trump-picked board has maintained that the center is unsafe for public occupancy, pointing to a water leak that caused a section of the grand foyer ceiling to fall to the floor. Trump said the closure would take place “immediately,” but the work couldn’t be done until the appeals court for the D.C. Circuit rules on the center’s name change.

The move spurred Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio member of the board, to request an emergency hearing for a federal judge to review the closure vote. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper declined Beatty’s request on Thursday, though he required the federal government to provide at least 30 days’ notice if it intends to demolish the performing arts center.

Cooper previously blocked the board’s earlier attempt to close the center.

The center’s executive director, Matt Floca , said in a court filing Thursday that the main building’s current closure is unrelated to the board’s pursuit of long-term renovations. He said the main building will be closed for at least a week for emergency repairs, noting the water leak and partial ceiling collapse.

Floca said the period could be extended beyond a week if he determines it necessary and the timeline would be evaluated on a weekly basis.

Cooper’s earlier ruling had prohibited the center from being closed for the long term, but he didn’t bar officials from conducting necessary repairs.

“No part of the Court’s preliminary injunction order forbids a temporary closure like this one,” Department of Justice lawyer Brantley Mayers argued.

Meanwhile, the plaintiffs seeking to block the board’s actions are stepping up their response. Eight historical, architectural and preservationist organizations who are plaintiffs against the Kennedy Center on Thursday called for its leaders to either resign or appoint a receiver to oversee the institution.

“The irrevocable loss of this iconic building — whether by intent, neglect or mismanagement — appears increasingly possible,” they said in a statement.

Attorney Greg Werkheiser , whose law firm is one of three representing the plaintiffs, said they will “likely soon” file for a receivership.

He said the institution filing for bankruptcy isn’t necessary for the court to force a change in management. He noted that Congress has set aside $257 million for repairs to the center and argued that Trump has the “extraordinary responsibility” to use his power to keep the center running, not “extraordinary leverage to demand” that it honor him.

If Trump did go through with knocking down part of the center, it wouldn’t be entirely without precedent in his second term. He had the East Wing of the White House torn down unilaterally last year, beginning what’s been another long-running controversy over the construction of a massive ballroom.

▪ The Washington Post : What’s next for the center now that it’s closed?

▪ USA Today : Beatty says Trump ‘threw a tantrum’ during center meeting.

South Florida suddenly came into focus when Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) released a new ad, standing in front of the White House, criticizing President Trump’s immigration policies. She won her race in 2024 by 20 points, leading to questions about that seat now potentially coming into play for Democrats.

I asked Sean Spicer about the ad, and he blasted how Salazar went about her messaging.

“Whoever her consultant cadre that came up with this should never work in Republican politics again. This is the epitome of stupidity,” Spicer said. “There’s no problem putting some daylight between you and the White House. The manner in which she did it, I’m literally appalled at how childish it was.”

We are likely to see more Republican candidates between now and the midterms create that daylight from the White House on issues that play differently back at home. How they go about doing it as well will be another fascinating dynamic to watch.

Burman hosts “The Hill” weeknights, 6 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. CDT on NewsNation.

A new The Hill/Emerson College Polling survey found Democrat Adam Hamilton narrowly leading Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall (R) by 2 points, within the margin of error. The race is considered a longshot for Democrats, but Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, has given them hope of pulling off an upset.

A man who sprayed vinegar at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) in January was sentenced to 14 months in prison Thursday as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. He will also undergo three years of supervised release after getting out of prison and was issued a no-contact order with Omar.

The state of Alabama carried out the execution of Jeffery Lee by lethal injection Thursday evening, months after the Supreme Court blocked his execution by nitrogen gas. The case itself was particularly controversial as a judge had overturned a majority vote by the jury for life in prison rather than death, a practice that the state has since eliminated.

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) speaks at a 2022 Republican campaign rally in West Miami, Fla., Oct. 19, 2022. (Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press file)

BIG BREAK: Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) released a television ad Thursday that directly attacked Trump and his hardline immigration tactics.

The move marked a stunning break from the president within his own party and reflected concerns about whether Hispanic voters will turn out for the GOP at the same rate they did for the president in 2024.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,” Salazar said, looking into the camera as she addressed Trump directly.

The president has emphasized that the immigration crackdown is focused on criminals, but the congresswoman noted in the ad that, in July, half of the 50,000 people detained had no criminal record, adding, “Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policies.”

“The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today,” she said in the 30-second ad spot.

“I’m not talking about giving them amnesty,” Salazar said at the conclusion of the ad. “ I’m talking about giving them a dignified life in this promised land, and only you can do that .”

The message is especially notable since Salazar, first elected in 2020, won reelection in her district by 20 points in 2024, and Trump won by more than 14 points. But the Democratic House Majority PAC circulated internal partisan polling showing the race as a toss-up.

▪ The Hill : John Cornyn won’t vote for Bo French in Texas race.

▪ The Hill : Mike Rogers calls for suspension of federal, Michigan gas taxes.

BACKING DOWN : The White House withdrew the nomination of Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to be director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday after it stalled in the Senate.

Trump tapped Schroyer in June, calling him “a PATRIOT with real operational experience.” The selection was supported by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin , a former Oklahoma senator, but surprised some because of his lack of experience leading a major law enforcement agency. Schroyer had once led Mullin’s security detail, and the secretary made Schroyer a senior adviser at DHS shortly after he was confirmed earlier this year.

Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who frequently finds himself at odds with Mullin, had yet to schedule a hearing for the nominee, requesting information from DHS on its investigation into two agents accused of killing two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Paul told The Hill that the committee chair “has not expressed opposition to the nominee.”

▪ The Hill : ICE officer arrested in Minnesota on assault charges.

▪ Fox News : Majority say immigration enforcement has crossed a line.

CLIMATE FIGHT : A half dozen environmental and public health organizations sued the Trump administration Thursday over its plan to eliminate most climate regulations on coal and gas power plants.

The administration finalized its move on Monday to gut regulations limiting planet-warming emissions from the plants in what would be a major win for the fossil fuel industry. Under the change, existing coal and new gas plants will no longer have to prevent 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.

The administration estimated that it would save about $310 billion. If upheld, the move could be one of the Trump administration’s most consequential climate rollbacks, The Hill’s Rachel Frazin reports.

The groups that sued argued in their complaint that the Environmental Protection Agency has a legal responsibility to limit planet-warming emissions and that not doing so would result in significant health effects.

▪ The Hill : Administration reduces protections for endangered species again.

‘ JON BELONGED TO ALL OF ARIZONA’ : Former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), who served in Congress for more than 25 years, has died from complications from a neurological disease, his family announced . He was 84.

“We know that Jon belonged to all of Arizona, a state he loved and explored with vigor, curiosity, and wonder. Serving his state and nation in Congress was a privilege and responsibility he honored and respected. We are grateful for his full and meaningful public life,” a statement from his family read.

The late senator was diagnosed with dementia late last year and said he would be withdrawing from public life at that time.

Kyl served in the House from 1987 to 1995 and in the Senate from 1995 to 2013, eventually rising to minority whip in the party. He was also appointed to serve for a few months of the late Sen. John McCain ’s (R-Ariz.) term after he died in office in 2018.

▪ KJZZ : Jeff Flake on Kyl: ‘No more committed public servant for Arizona.’

▪ Merced Sun-Star : What to know about the late senator.

The president will greet the Million Dollar Pitch Competition finalists at 1:30 p.m. He will make an announcement on healthcare at 2:30 p.m. and participate in a photo opportunity at 4 p.m. He will participate in signing time at 4:30 p.m. He will travel to Sterling, Va., for a MAGA, Inc., meeting at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:15 p.m. He will then depart for Camp David, where he will spend the weekend.

The Senate will meet at 9 a.m. for a pro forma session

An advertisement for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin is displayed on a building in Hong Kong on Nov. 18, 2021. (Kin Cheung, Associated Press file)

SHIFTING FOCUS : With the push for a sweeping cryptocurrency regulation bill collapsing in the Senate this week, the industry is now turning its attention to federal regulators to set rules.

Every Senate Democrat and several Republicans voted to block a procedural vote Tuesday to advance the Clarity Act, which would set up a regulatory framework for the crypto market. Up to a dozen Democrats were considered potential yes votes, but negotiations fell apart after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on ethics rules amid concerns about the Trump family’s involvement in crypto.

The Hill’s Julia Shapero reports crypto leaders are quickly shifting their hopes to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for oversight.

“The Senate has voted and we have a different type of clarity. It’s time for agencies to step forward and for crypto voters to make their voice heard,” Faryar Shirzad , Coinbase’s chief policy officer, wrote in a post Tuesday on the social platform X.

Patrick Witt , the president’s chief crypto adviser, pointed to the two agencies’ chairs on Tuesday after the bill failed, saying “you’re up.”

The agencies had always been expected to oversee the crypto market, Shapero notes, as the Clarity Act mostly sought to create a framework for splitting responsibilities between them, determining when digital assets are securities or commodities.

The industry preferred more permanent regulations in the form of legislation, but the agencies have already been moving on their own regulations.

CFTC Chair Michael Selig said the agency would “get the job done” using existing statutory authority, while SEC Chair Paul Atkins hinted at upcoming action from the agency. On Thursday, the SEC unveiled its long-awaited “innovation exemption,” which exempts platforms and liquidity providers from traditional securities rules, clearing the way for tokenized stock trading.

▪ The Hill : Senate Democrat blocks bill on data center electricity costs.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech during a formal sitting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Sept 17, 2026. (Pascal Bastien, Associated Press)

CANADA EMBRACES EU: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney embraced the idea of joining the European Union as its first associate member, a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly floated the idea as a way to strengthen their alliance.

“A Canada-EU alliance would create a beacon for other democracies,” Carney said in remarks before the European Parliament. “An alliance not defined by what we oppose but about what we are for: freedom, solidarity, prosperity, sustainability.”

“Canada welcomes this ambition,” he added, pointing to polling that shows strong support among Canadians for “much closer ties with Europe.”

A day earlier, the European commissioner addressed Carney directly in a social media post, saying, “Dear @MarkJCarney we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.”

“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU,” she added. “And create a common prosperity and economic security space.”

The suggestion of an associate membership for Canada comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and its neighbor to the north. The Trump administration levied high tariffs on Canadian goods in recent weeks as trade talks fizzled , and he threatened to levy additional economic consequences if Canada joins the EU.

“I think it’s laughable. Canada’s been a terrible trading partner,” Trump said about the proposal.

“If they do that, if I think at all it’s a hostile act,” he added. “I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe.”

▪ WMUR : Canada’s EU membership could increase U.S. costs.

▪ The Hill : U.S. will allow ‘core’ Iranian delegation at U.N. summit in New York.

President Trump is bringing healthy food from harvest to hallways , Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. write in The Hill.

Trust in America’s food safety system is crumbling — Congress can restore it , Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) writes in The Hill.

Former first lady Barbara Bush, her granddaughter Barbara, and Millie wait on the steps of the White House for Former President George H.W. Bush to return from his 1991 check-up at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington. (Barry Thumma, Associated Press file)

And finally … 👏👏👏 Congrats to this week’s Morning Report quiz winners ! They deserve a treat for how they handled this pet-related quiz. In this case, newsletter recognition will have to suffice.

Here’s who went 4/4: Richard Baznik, Stan Wasser, Chuck Schoenenberger, Carmine Petracca, Michael Salanik, Linda L. Field, Harry Strulovici, Rick Schmidtke, Marcia Gatlin, Jenessa Wagner, Mark R. Williamson, Ned Sauthoff, M. Whitehouse, David Newton, Jim Anderson, Robert Bradley and Steve James .

Other than Trump, two presidents didn’t have any pets — James Polk and Andrew Johnson. While Johnson didn’t have any official pets, he was said to have taken care of some mice that lived in the White House.

Theodore Roosevelt had the most pets of any commander-in-chief , owning 11 horses, six dogs, five guinea pigs, two cats and various other animals, including a bear, a pig, a badger and a hen.

Barbara Bush wrote a children’s book from the point of view of her family’s English spaniel Millie , published in 1990. Millie is the only presidential pet to have a book from her perspective.

Champ was the dog who was not involved in any biting incident, as both Commander and Major bit Secret Service agents or other federal employees.