WASHINGTON – A federal judge has ordered a two-week delay on any work at a historic public golf course located near the White House, temporarily blocking former President Donald Trump’s initiative to redevelop the site along the Potomac River into a championship golf venue.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary restraining order just before the East Potomac Golf Links was scheduled to close for 15 months. This ruling came in response to a legal challenge initiated by the DC Preservation League and two local golfers back in February. Despite the ongoing litigation, Trump had announced that work would commence on the site on the closing date.
The plaintiffs assert that Trump’s redevelopment plan would fundamentally alter the character of the accessible golf course, making it unaffordable for the community. Trump’s administration denies these claims, with the plaintiffs arguing that the closure and initiation of renovations would “irreparably injure plaintiffs and the public interest.”
In a series of public announcements on social media last month, Trump specified the closure date for East Potomac Golf Course, which was linked to his renovation plans. On October 26, he stated, “We are closing the East Potomac Golf Course Site as scheduled on November 15th in order to renovate and rebuild for Competitive (with other such projects!), Safety, Modernization, and Aesthetic reasons,” emphasizing a vision for a “World Championship Public Facility.”
Judge Reyes referenced Trump’s social media posts in her ruling, noting that they suggested the Washington National Plan was finalized and indicated that the National Park Service (NPS) would close the park to implement it. “Both points favor granting Plaintiffs’ motion for another temporary restraining order,” she wrote.
Her ruling enjoined the government from closing East Potomac Park and the golf course during operational hours as they existed on November 14, 2026. However, it did not require the government to undertake any active management of either area. The order remains effective “through November 28, 2026, or further order from the Court, whichever comes first.”
The redevelopment of the park is among several projects Trump has advocated to transform the nation’s capital, which also includes a large memorial arch and a White House ballroom.
During a five-hour court hearing, Reyes indicated she was inclined to issue a stoppage for the park closure, with the only question being the extent of the order. Justice Department lawyer Adam Gustafson argued that the entire East Potomac Park, which encompasses three golf courses, a miniature course, biking lanes, and other recreational areas, was being closed due to safety concerns. He also noted that the lease with the current operator, National Links Trust, was set to expire.
Reyes responded by highlighting that safety had not been a topic of discussion regarding the closure for months, suggesting that the lease termination was more of a rationale for closure rather than a genuine safety concern, especially given the park’s proximity to the White House.
She dismissed Gustafson’s claims that the closure was unrelated to Trump’s repeated calls for the park to be shut down and renovated into a world-class venue.
In a social media post following the ruling, Trump expressed frustration, claiming that Reyes “doesn’t want us to quickly and inexpensively fix up the Course which is, also, very dangerous.” He assured residents in the Washington area would receive a 50% discount on rates charged and emphasized that the redevelopment would “evolve into something very special, something which the Judge will be able to take great pride in seeing!”
This restraining order marks the latest in a series of rulings against Trump’s initiatives just hours before construction was expected to start. A different judge had recently delayed work on another Trump-supported project, a memorial arch, for 14 days.
Reyes, nominated to the court by President Joe Biden, had previously shown reluctance to approve requests for work stoppages from the plaintiffs, who contended that the administration was advancing plans related to the project despite the pending lawsuit.
Her hesitance to issue orders changed in October, prompted by concerns about tree-cutting activities carried out by the administration over a holiday weekend without proper notification. The Justice Department maintained that the tree work was part of a longstanding plan but Reyes confronted officials about what she described as misleading actions regarding the project’s intentions.
The judge has routinely expressed her frustrations over the complexities of the case, including disputes over the trees in the 106-year-old park. In a notable turn, the Justice Department requested her recusal from the case, alleging her behavior was “egregious” and questioning her impartiality. Reyes has not withdrawn from the case.
In addition to the restraining order, Reyes is also investigating whether officials within the Interior Department and NPS and attorneys with the Justice Department have violated ethical standards or misled her throughout the case. While Gustafson requested the judge reconsider her decision to appoint an outside investigator, Reyes expressed her ethical obligation to pursue the matter, stating, “I think there is enough smoke that someone needs to consider whether there’s been fire.”
