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Trump administration warns Kennedy Center faces demolition if renovations blocked

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement In the courts
  • The Trump administration warned the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., could be demolished if renovations are blocked.
  • Justice Department lawyers stated the venue is structurally unsound and "cannot survive" without presidential intervention.
  • This warning emerged amid a legal battle over attempts to inscribe President Trump's name on the building.

The Trump administration has issued a stark warning that the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., faces potential demolition if necessary renovations are not permitted to proceed. Lawyers for the Justice Department informed a federal judge that the performing arts venue is in "terrible trouble" and "cannot survive, either structurally or financially" without the president's assistance.

Without those efforts, the Center will deteriorate further into an unsafe, decrepit structure that will be required to be taken down.

— DOJ lawyersDescribing the potential consequences if renovations are not allowed.

In a court filing, the DOJ lawyers argued that without the administration's efforts, the Center "will deteriorate further into an unsafe, decrepit structure that will be required to be taken down." They suggested that a simpler and more economical replacement, such as an outdoor amphitheater, could be built on the site, though they conceded it would "fail to adequately honor" former President John F. Kennedy.

The administration is now threatening in federal court to LEVEL the Kennedy Center if Trump does not get his way.

— Norm EisenReacting to the Justice Department's court filing and the threat of demolition.

This threat of demolition, the most extreme action mentioned concerning the venue since President Trump's return to the White House, surfaced as part of the administration's response to efforts blocking the inscription of his name on the building. U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty had sued after Trump-appointed board members voted to add the phrase “restored and renovated by President Donald J. Trump” beneath existing signage. Previously, the board had renamed the venue after Trump before a judge ordered the name's removal from the façade.

His path of destruction knows no bounds & he will answer for it in court.

— Norm EisenFurther condemning the administration's actions and vowing legal recourse.

Norm Eisen, an attorney for Beatty, condemned the administration's stance, stating, "The administration is now threatening in federal court to LEVEL the Kennedy Center if Trump does not get his way." He vowed a legal response, adding, "His path of destruction knows no bounds & he will answer for it in court."

is structurally unsound, fundamentally unsafe, and embarrassing to the Nation’s Capital

— DOJ lawyersJustifying the need for renovations and the administration's involvement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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