Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Close East Potomac Park Golf Course
US District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Park and its historic public golf course in Washington, D.C., ruling that the government's justifications were "pretextual" and that it violated at least two federal laws to meet an arbitrary deadline. The order, issued Saturday and lasting until November 28, came in a lawsuit brought by the DC Preservation League and two local residents. Reyes also opened an inquiry into whether Justice Department attorneys misrepresented facts to the court. The administration is not required to actively manage the park or golf course.
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Court Blocks Trump's Plan to Renovate Public Golf Course in Washington
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's plan to close and renovate the East Potomac Park public golf course. Judge Ana Reyes ruled on Saturday in favor of environmental groups, stating that the closure would cause irreparable harm to residents who use the historic park daily. The decision follows an earlier order halting further tree removal after more than 500 trees were already felled. Trump, an avid golfer and owner of multiple courses, wants to transform the affordable 18-hole course to host internationally significant tournaments, with construction originally set to begin in November. The ruling marks another legal setback for Trump, who has pursued several construction and renovation projects in the capital since returning to the White House in January 2025.
Read sourceFederal Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to Renovate Public Golf Course in Washington
A federal judge has halted US President Donald Trump's plan to close and renovate a public golf course in Washington, D.C., delivering another legal defeat for the president. Judge Ana Reyes ruled on Saturday that East Potomac Park would not be closed as Trump had requested, siding with environmentalists who filed a complaint. In her ruling, Reyes wrote that the government's proposal to close a historic park used daily by Washingtonians of all backgrounds would cause irreparable harm to plaintiffs who regularly use it for recreation. The judge had already banned further tree felling in the park in late October, after more than 500 trees had been cut in connection with the planned construction. Trump, an avid golfer and owner of multiple golf properties, wants to redesign the 18-hole course with previously affordable prices and host internationally significant tournaments there. He had announced renovation work would begin in November, with the park to close this Sunday.
Read sourceFederal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Renovate Historic DC Golf Course
US District Judge Ana Reyes issued a 30-page ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Park in Washington, DC, to renovate its public golf course into a championship-level facility. Reyes found the administration's stated reasons for the closure were 'pretextual' and that the government violated at least two federal laws to meet an arbitrary deadline. The suit was brought by the DC Preservation League and two local residents, represented by Democracy Forward, who argued the plan would change the park's accessible character and make it unaffordable. The park must remain open to the public, though the government need not maintain golf operations. Reyes also ordered an ethics investigation into whether Justice Department lawyers misled her about the closure timeline, and denied a DOJ request for her recusal. The ruling is the latest judicial pushback against Trump's efforts to reshape the capital.
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Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump's Closure of Washington DC Golf Course
US District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Golf Links in Washington DC, ruling that the government's justifications for the closure were pretextual and that it violated at least two federal laws to meet an arbitrary deadline. The order, issued Saturday and lasting until 28 November, came in a months-long legal challenge by the DC Preservation League and others over redevelopment plans for the 106-year-old public course. Reyes said the administration is not required to actively manage the park or course. Trump, an avid golfer who called the course 'Trash Island,' had announced a 15-month renovation starting 15 November, saying the redesign would create one of the world's best courses open to the public. Reyes also opened an inquiry into whether justice department attorneys made misrepresentations to the court.
Read sourceFederal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Plan to Close Historic D.C. Golf Course
A federal judge on Saturday temporarily blocked the Trump administration's planned closure of East Potomac Park and its historic public golf course in Washington, D.C., which President Trump wants to overhaul into a "world class championship" course designed by Tom Fazio. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled the administration cannot close the park but is not required to actively manage it, siding with a D.C. preservation group and two local golfers who argued the closure justifications were pretextual. The order lasts until Nov. 28. The Justice Department said the ruling does not preclude continued planning for the new course. Reyes is also opening an inquiry into whether administration officials misrepresented facts in court and plans to appoint former U.S. attorney Jessie Liu to lead it; the Justice Department opposes that appointment.
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