Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio brought a lawsuit to a DC federal courtroom on Sept. 15 to prevent the board from closing and rebranding the Kennedy Center. Beatty argues the board unlawfully circumvented Congress to execute a multiyear shutdown and rename the facility. Judge Christopher Cooper precluded the center's board from making decisions regarding the renaming of the building during its scheduled 12:30 p.m. meeting that day.

Attorneys for the center cited a dire financial emergency and required remediation for water damage and dozens of soffit panels. Judge Cooper questioned the emergency status, noting $257 million in appropriated taxpayer funds are available to the facility. The plaintiff's counsel argued that the alleged bankruptcy risk is tied to the two year closure plan and that the board was not notified of a three week window to financial ruin at prior meetings.