The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has warned a federal judge that Washington, D.C.'s iconic performing arts venue, the Kennedy Center, may be demolished if renovation efforts are not permitted to proceed. In a court filing on Monday, DOJ lawyers stated that the center is in dire straits, structurally and financially, without President Donald Trump's intervention. If the venue is torn down, an outdoor amphitheater could potentially be built in its place, according to the filing. The DOJ argued that a replacement would be simpler and more economical but would fail to honor the venue's namesake, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. This extreme measure comes as part of the administration's response to a lawsuit filed by U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat, over Trump's attempts to have his name inscribed on the building's facade. The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971 to honor the late president, would likely face strong opposition from preservation groups if demolished. Norm Eisen, one of Beatty's attorneys, condemned the administration's threat, promising a legal response. DOJ lawyers also argued for the necessity of renovations, stating that the center is structurally unsound and unsafe, as well as an embarrassment to the nation's capital. The Kennedy Center's executive director has previously indicated that renovations would involve a total replacement of stage lifts and rigging systems, electrical work, and efforts to prevent water leaks. Trump announced plans for two years of renovations earlier this year, but a judge blocked the move due to concerns about the board vote endorsing the closure. The White House has yet to respond to Al Jazeera's request for comment on the matter.