United States District Judge Ana Reyes has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to close and redevelop the historic East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. In a 30-page ruling, Reyes prevented the government from closing the park on Sunday, November 15, as part of a proposed 15-month renovation.
Background of the Dispute:
Trump announced the plan on October 18, describing his intention to transform the century-old public golf facility into one of the world’s best championship-level courses.
The proposal involves replacing the existing facilities with a single 18-hole championship course, prompting opposition from the D.C. Preservation League and local golfers, who filed a lawsuit challenging its legality.
Judge’s Ruling and Public Access:
Judge Reyes ruled that the administration’s reasons for closing the park were “pretextual” and that the government had violated at least two federal laws to meet what she described as an arbitrary deadline.
Reyes wrote,” the government proposes to close a historic park, daily enjoyed by Washingtonians of all stripes, indefinitely.”
The plaintiffs argue that Trump’s plan would change the character of the accessible golf course and make it unaffordable, something the president denies.
Although Reyes ordered that the park—near the Jefferson Memorial, 2 miles (3 km) south of the White House—remain open, the Trump administration does not have to maintain golf operations at the site, the judge wrote. But the government “cannot use the absence of golf operations as a reason to exclude the public,” she added.
However, the government cannot restrict public access simply because golf activities have stopped.
Tree-Clearing Controversy:
The dispute intensified after hundreds of trees were cleared with little notice. Reyes subsequently required the government to provide 10 days’ written notice before making further irreversible changes to the grounds.
Investigation into Government Conduct
The judge also moved to appoint former U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jessie Liu as a special master to investigate whether government officials or attorneys misled the court or withheld information about the renovation timeline.
Ongoing Legal Battle:
The administration has defended the project by arguing that the existing facilities are outdated and unsafe. However, the legal challenge continues to raise concerns about environmental compliance, historic preservation laws, and government transparency.
The lawsuit was filed by the D.C. Preservation League, represented by Democracy Forward, alongside two local residents. The organization welcomed the latest ruling, describing the project as another of the president’s “vanity projects.”
