Justice Department threatens demolition of Kennedy Center if renovation plan blocked

The Justice Department filed a court brief on Monday asserting that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is "structurally unsound, fundamentally unsafe, and embarrassing to the Nation’s Capital." The filing argues that without the proposed renovations, the building could deteriorate to the point where demolition would be necessary, with a possible replacement such as an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Potomac River.

Attorney Brantley T. Mayers wrote that the center’s board, appointed by President Trump, believes the president’s involvement is essential for the venue’s financial survival and structural renewal. The brief notes that President Trump secured $258 million in congressional funding for capital restoration and has attracted new donors, though it does not detail how the money has been used.

The filing also references a pending legal dispute over the center’s name. A judge previously ruled that the board’s effort to add Trump’s name to the building was unlawful and ordered its removal. The board has since voted to rename the venue "The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump," a change that is set for a hearing, with the judge having indicated that only Congress can rename the memorial.

Representative Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) has challenged the board’s plan, arguing that the decision to close the center was rushed and that board members lacked sufficient information. The Justice Department’s brief opposes Beatty’s motion to block the closure, stating that a restored center would better honor President Kennedy.

Kennedy Center Executive Director Matt Floca has described the renovation scope as including replacement of stage lifts, rigging systems, electrical upgrades and leak prevention, and says the exterior of the main building would not be materially altered. He has previously assured that the facility would not be gutted during the work.