{"id":2649442,"date":"2026-08-25T16:16:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T20:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-warns-kennedy-center-will-be-replaced-if-renovation-canceled\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T17:11:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T21:11:05","slug":"doj-warns-kennedy-center-will-be-replaced-if-renovation-canceled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-warns-kennedy-center-will-be-replaced-if-renovation-canceled\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ warns Kennedy Center will be replaced if renovation canceled"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-warns-kennedy-center-will-be-replaced-if-renovation-canceled%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2649442&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Department of Justice lawyer warned that if the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts does not undergo its planned two-year renovation, it risks being demolished and replaced by an outdoor amphitheater. The lawyer,Brantley Mayers,emphasized that without structural repairs addressing issues like water damage and rusting steel,the Center could deteriorate further and eventually be torn down. The renovation is funded by a $257 million allocation, aiming to fix various structural problems. Meanwhile, there is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/political-network-behind-atlanta-riots-is-linked-to-democrat-party-and-its-proxies\/\" title=\"Political Network Behind Atlanta Riots Is Linked to Democrat Party and Its Proxies\">ongoing legal action<\/a> from Rep. Joyce Beatty,opposing the Trump administration\u2019s plans to add Trump\u2019s name to the building and to close it during renovations. The Kennedy Center board has approved both the renovation and the name change, which they plan to publicly call \u201cThe John F.Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing arts, renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump.\u201d The legal dispute remains unresolved,with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/small-investors-will-likely-be-the-biggest-losers-of-ftx-collapse\/\" title=\"Small Investors Will Likely Be the Biggest Losers of FTX Collapse\">court hearing scheduled<\/a>. The DOJ official linked the Center\u2019s financial stability and structural integrity to President Trump\u2019s efforts and recognition, asserting that without this association, donor contributions would decline, worsening the Center\u2019s condition.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"438\">Department of Justice<\/a> lawyer warned a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"260\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>, federal court that if the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts does not close for President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> planned two-year renovation, the facility could be demolished.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brantley Mayers, a DOJ Civil Division attorney, wrote in a court filing on Monday that the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kennedy-center\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"6434\">Kennedy Center<\/a> is facing a dire need for construction and that a failure to update the facility could lead to it being replaced by an outdoor amphitheater. He made the suggestion in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"339\">Trump administration\u2019s<\/a> response to Rep. Joyce Beatty\u2019s (D-OH) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4696159\/beatty-emergency-order-trump-kennedy-center\/\">emergency motion to halt<\/a> the center from putting Trump\u2019s name on the building\u2019s facade.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4699980\/doj-warns-replace-kennedy-center-with-amphitheater-if-renovation-canceled\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ warns Kennedy Center will be torn down and replaced with amphitheater if renovation canceled<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4699465\/don-lemon-indictment-grand-jury-record\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge seeks Don Lemon indictment\u2019s grand jury records in DOJ to see if case should be tossed<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4699239\/judge-deny-ghislaine-maxwell-appeal\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge denies Ghislaine Maxwell\u2019s bid to toss conviction over miscarriage of justice<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWithout those efforts, the Center will deteriorate further into an unsafe, decrepit structure that will be required to be taken down, with a determination to follow on what to build on the site, such as a large outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Potomac River that has been proposed, by some, for many years,\u201d Mayers wrote, referring to Trump\u2019s efforts to fix the building structurally.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSuch a replacement will fail to adequately honor President<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-f-kennedy\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4031\"> John F. Kennedy<\/a>, but would be simpler and more economical to build, operate, and maintain,\u201d Mayers continued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beatty, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, has taken the Trump administration to court over its plans to add Trump\u2019s name to the building and close it for two years for a structural overhaul. She filed a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4483728\/joyce-beatty-kennedy-center-closure-renovation\/\">complaint over the closure<\/a> in March, calling it part of the Administration\u2019s \u201cunlawful efforts to rename, shutter, and gut the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Kennedy Center board voted in mid-August both to move forward with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4686487\/kennedy-center-board-vote-two-year-closure-renovations\/\">closing the facility<\/a> for the two-year\u00a0structural construction project and to move ahead with adding Trump\u2019s name to the building. In a separate court filing, the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees told the federal district court that it will call the facility \u201cThe John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Beatty\u2019s emergency motion pending regarding the name change and a court hearing scheduled for Thursday at 2:00 p.m., the legal status of plans for the center\u2019s future and title currently remain in flux.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in Monday\u2019s filing, Mayers wrote that the Kennedy Center Board \u201crecognizes that President Trump\u2019s efforts and prestige provide the sole hope for the Center\u2019s financial survival, and structural renewal.\u201d He also tied the name of the facility and recognition of Trump to its structural and financial integrity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Board also underscores, and the undisputed evidence demonstrates, that without the prominent recognition of The Trump Administration, and President Trump\u2019s efforts, the donors will not contribute, and the Center will continue to be in a financial and structural death spiral,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.dcd.287972\/gov.uscourts.dcd.287972.68.0_3.pdf\">Mayers wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The renovations were initially recommended by the current executive director and former vice president of facilities at the Kennedy Center, Matt Floca. The construction will focus on various structural issues around the facility, including\u00a0water\u00a0damage, rusting steel that Floca says feels like \u201ctissue paper,\u201d and over three decades-old industrial chillers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4539086\/inside-look-kennedy-center-two-year-renovation\/\">AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE KENNEDY CENTER BEFORE TWO-YEAR RENOVATION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The renovation projects are set to be funded by the $257 million earmarked for the Kennedy Center in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> has reached out to Beatty\u2019s office for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ warns Kennedy Center may be demolished if renovation not approved<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2649444,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/081426_WEX_KENNEDY_CENTER-4-e1786737789583.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[84086,84644,7076,50057,21465],"class_list":["post-2649442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-arts-funding","tag-cultural-institutions","tag-doj","tag-kennedy-center","tag-renovation"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/081426_WEX_KENNEDY_CENTER-4-e1786737789583.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2649442"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2649466,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649442\/revisions\/2649466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2649444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2649442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2649442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2649442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}