A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., and its surrounding park, pending further legal proceedings. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled Saturday that the government cannot close the historic golf course, which was scheduled to shut down on Sunday, November 15, for a 15-month renovation project.
The order, effective immediately, requires the park and golf course to remain accessible to the public during their normal operating hours, with limited exceptions for safety-related closures. Reyes’ decision came hours before the administration’s planned closure and follows a legal challenge filed by the DC Preservation League and two local golfers in February. The plaintiffs argued that the closure would cause irreparable harm to public access and the character of the park.
Core Rationale Behind the Ruling
In her 30-page decision, Judge Reyes stated that the government’s justifications for closing the park were pretextual, meaning they appeared to be fabricated or exaggerated to justify the closure. She noted that the administration had not plausibly demonstrated any harm it would suffer from maintaining the status quo while litigation continues. Reyes also criticized the National Park Service’s (NPS) decision to cut down over 400 trees in the area just days before the closure, calling the action “bad faith” and questioning whether safety concerns were the true motivation.
The judge’s order does not require the administration to actively operate the golf course, including its concession stand or pro shop. However, it explicitly prohibits the government from using the absence of golf operations as a reason to exclude the public from the park. Reyes emphasized that closing the park would “run counter to the public interest in utilizing national parkland.”
Background: The Dispute Over East Potomac Golf Links
East Potomac Golf Links is a 106-year-old public golf course located in East Potomac Park, a federally owned area along the Potomac River near the National Mall. The course has been a recreational staple for Washington, D.C., residents for decades, offering affordable access to golf and other outdoor activities. In May, President Donald Trump announced plans to renovate the course into a “world-class championship facility,” describing the current state as “Trash Island” in a series of social media posts.
Trump’s proposed renovations include redesigning the layout to host major professional golf tournaments, modernizing facilities, and addressing what he described as safety hazards, such as overgrown fairways and a deteriorating seawall. The administration argued that the closure was necessary to begin repairs and that the lease with the current operator, National Links Trust, was set to expire on November 15. However, Reyes dismissed these claims, noting that safety concerns had not been a focus of the closure discussions until recently.
Legal and Political Context
The legal battle over East Potomac Golf Links is part of a broader pattern of Trump administration projects in Washington, D.C., including plans for a memorial arch, a White House ballroom, and renovations to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Critics, including the DC Preservation League, argue that these projects prioritize presidential legacy over public access and environmental preservation. Supporters, including the administration, frame the renovations as necessary upgrades to modernize aging infrastructure and enhance the city’s appeal.
Reyes’ ruling is the latest in a series of legal setbacks for the Trump administration’s efforts to push through its Washington, D.C., redevelopment agenda. The temporary restraining order will remain in effect until November 28, or until a further court decision is issued. The administration has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the ruling or attempt to revise its closure plans.
Public and Political Reactions
The DC Preservation League and the two local golfers who filed the lawsuit welcomed the judge’s decision, calling it a necessary intervention to protect public access to the park. “We are grateful that once again, a court has intervened to prevent irreparable harm caused by the Trump-Vance administration’s pursuit of another one of the president’s vanity projects,” said Catherine Carroll, Senior Legal Advisor at Democracy Forward, in a statement.
The White House has not issued a formal response to the ruling, and the Department of the Interior, which oversees the National Park Service, has not commented on whether it will comply with the order or seek to modify it. Trump has continued to publicly criticize the course, posting on Truth Social that it is the “worst golf course anywhere in the world” and vowing to transform it into a “best-in-class” facility once the legal hurdles are cleared.