A federal judge blocked work on a Washington public golf course redevelopment on Saturday.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary restraining order halting any construction or closure at the East Potomac Golf Links just before the site was scheduled to shut down for a 15-month renovation. The move came in response to a lawsuit brought by the DC Preservation League and two local golfers who argue the project will alter the accessible course and drive up costs.
The temporary halt arrives amid a broader wave of legal challenges against high-profile federal projects in the nation’s capital. Donald Trump pushed to redevelop the historic Potomac River site into a championship venue, setting a closure date of November 15, 2026, according to NPR reporting.
Court Order Prevents Closing East Potomac Park and Golf Course
Reyes based her restraining order on public statements posted on social media by the president in October. She said that these posts indicated the redevelopment plan was final and that the National Park Service intended to close the park to implement it.
“They indicate that the Washington National Plan is final and that NPS will close the Park to implement it,” Reyes wrote, adding that these points favored the plaintiffs’ motion.
The order enjoins the government from closing East Potomac Park and the East Potomac Golf Course during their normal daily operating hours. The restriction remains in effect through November 28, 2026, or until further order from the court. The Justice Department maintained that the National Park Service retains the authority to limit access where the public faces risks of harm.
Legal representatives for the plaintiffs welcomed the court’s intervention. Catherine Carroll, a senior legal adviser at Democracy Forward, said the ruling prevented irreparable harm from a vanity project. “The administration’s inexplicable drive to destroy East Potomac Park would have taken away a treasured park that could never be replaced,” Carroll told NPR.
| Project Element | Proposed Change | Stated Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| East Potomac Golf Links | 15-month closure and renovation | Competitive standards, safety, and modernization |
| Local Rates | 50% discount for Washington area residents | Affordability and accessibility |
| Park Access | Temporary closure of grounds and facilities | Public risk mitigation and site redevelopment |
Justice Department and Trump Argue Park Closure Is Necessary for Safety
During a five-hour court hearing, Justice Department lawyer Adam Gustafson argued that the entirety of East Potomac Park required closure due to safety factors, and said that the lease with current operator National Links Trust was ending. Reyes countered that safety had not been part of the discussion for months, characterizing the lease expiration as a premise for closure rather than its original cause.
Trump criticized the ruling on social media, writing that the judge “doesn’t want us to quickly and inexpensively fix up the Course which is, also, very dangerous.” He also asserted that local residents would receive a 50% discount on all rates charged at the redesigned facility. The Justice Department said that it would continue to defend the administration’s agenda in court.
Reyes had previously shown reluctance to issue work stoppages in the months-long litigation. That hesitancy shifted in October following a tree-cutting operation over a holiday weekend with minimal notification to the court or plaintiffs. Government lawyers maintained the tree work followed a 2019 plan, but the judge confronted the administration over its intentions.
Justice Department Seeks to Remove Reyes from the Case
The Justice Department subsequently filed a request to remove Reyes from the case, citing what it described as egregious behavior and questioning her impartiality. Reyes has not recused herself from the proceedings.
In addition to the restraining order, Reyes announced plans to appoint Jessie Liu, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, to examine whether Interior Department officials, National Park Service staff, and Justice Department attorneys misled the court or violated ethics rules during the litigation.
The temporary restraining order is set to expire on November 28, 2026, or upon further order from the court.
References
Earlier coverage: Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Closing East Potomac Park Golf Course
