The Kennedy Center board voted to close the arts institution for two years, despite questions about the legality of this decision. The board, now made up of Trump appointees, voted for the closure starting after July 4 due to necessary renovations. The decision was also voted in favor of The Washington National Opera's decision to leave the Kennedy Center. However, Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member, is launching a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the closure and the renaming of the institution to the Trump-Kennedy Center. The need for renovations and the budget for doing so have also been questioned. Since the announcement of the closure, many artists have cancelled their performances at the center due to financial issues.