The Trump administration has threatened to demolish Washington D.C.'s iconic Kennedy Center, a renowned performing arts venue established in 1971 to honor the late President John F. Kennedy, if renovations are not permitted. In a recent court filing, US Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers warned that the center's structural and financial stability is at risk without the assistance of President Trump or his administration. If the venue were to be demolished, an outdoor amphitheater could potentially replace it, according to the DOJ filing. The proposed replacement, which DOJ claims would fail to adequately honor Kennedy, would allegedly be simpler and more economical. This extreme measure was revealed in response to a legal challenge attempting to block Trump's name from being inscribed on the building. The administration's threat to demolish the historic venue is likely to face strong opposition from preservation groups and those opposed to Trump's changes at the site. Legal action against the administration has been promised by representatives of those opposing the potential destruction of the Kennedy Center. Renovations, initially planned for two years, were previously blocked by a judge who criticized an earlier board vote as "ill-informed and seemingly preordained". The White House has yet to comment on the matter.