Trump Orders East Potomac Park Closure for Championship Golf Course
President Donald Trump ordered the November 15 closure of East Potomac Park to build a professional golf course, sparking a legal battle over government transparency.
The Donald Trump administration will close most of East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., on November 15 to redevelop its municipal golf course into a championship-level venue for professional golfers. The plan, announced by the president on social media, involves a design by architect Tom Fazio and will result in a 15-month closure affecting Hains Point and a popular cycling circuit. Trump has described the 106-year-old course as a "National Disgrace" and "highly dangerous," citing structural instability and hazardous netting.
The project has triggered a legal conflict in the Federal District Court in Washington. Judge Ana C. Reyes has issued a preliminary injunction blocking further tree removal after the National Park Service cut down over 400 trees during a holiday weekend. The DC Preservation League and other plaintiffs allege the redevelopment violates environmental laws and threatens public trails.
Judge Reyes has appointed a special master to investigate whether the Department of Justice and Department of the Interior misled the court. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. previously stated there was no plan to close the course, contradicting the president's public announcements. While Woodward later conceded the president directed the closure, he has since sought the judge's recusal. In response to the judicial hurdles, Trump has vowed to hold Judge Reyes "fully responsible" for any injuries or deaths occurring at the site.
