Courts & Justice · Report · File No. 261115-828
Judge blocks Trump from closing East Potomac Park golf course for now
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled Saturday that the administration cannot close the historic public park and course on Sunday, Nov. 15. The case is a test of how far Trump can go in remaking public sites in Washington.
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A federal judge on Saturday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Park and its public golf course in Washington, D.C. The closure was set to start Sunday, Nov. 15 1.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the administration cannot close the park and course. She also said it was not required to actively manage either one 1.
She sided with a D.C. preservation group and two local golfers. They argued that the closure was part of a plan to replace the course with a championship-style venue designed by golf course architect Tom Fazio 1. President Trump wants to turn the site into a new "world class championship" course 1.
What the fight is about
East Potomac Golf Links is a historic public course on federal parkland at Hains Point. In 2020, the National Park Service signed a 50-year lease with National Links Trust to run three courses as affordable public golf 2.
From Channel GOPTrump dodges rigged-election question, calls Massie loserDonald Trump · 545 plays · captioned, with the source named
The preservation group and the two golfers sued the Interior Department, the Park Service and federal officials in February. They say the project threatens public access. They also say it conflicts with the congressional designation that the land be held as a park "for the recreation and pleasure of the people" 2.
Reyes had already barred more tree removal, except where there is an imminent safety risk. She also required the government to give advance notice of certain work. The administration has appealed the tree order 2.
The government's case, and Trump's reaction
At a Nov. 13 hearing, government lawyers said closing the area was necessary because of seawall and other safety concerns. They also said the course would no longer have an operator. Reyes asked why conditions that had existed for years suddenly required closing nearly all of Hains Point on Nov. 15 2.
The court has also appointed former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu to examine whether government lawyers committed ethical violations in handling the case. Newsweek notes that this is an investigation, not a finding that misconduct occurred 2.
On Saturday, before the ruling, Trump attacked the judge on Truth Social. "Unfortunately, Judge Ana Reyes doesn't want us to quickly and inexpensively fix up the Course," he wrote 2.
Unfortunately, Judge Ana Reyes doesn't want us to quickly and inexpensively fix up the Course.
He also promised a 50% discount on "any and all" rates for people living in the D.C. area at a rebuilt course. He did not say how the area would be defined, when the discount would start or what rates it would cover 2.
Trump said the new course could attract the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup. As of Saturday, organizers had not announced that any of those events would be held there 2.
What happens next
The ruling is temporary, and the CBS report describes it as blocking the closure "for now" 1. The administration's appeal of the tree-removal order is still pending 2. Liu's review of the government lawyers' conduct is also still open 2.
That matters because the dispute is about more than golf. The question is whether a president can close public parkland while a lawsuit over its future is still pending. For now, a judge has said no.
Trump has also claimed that Interior has cleaned, repaired, renovated or rebuilt 83 fountains, monuments and statues in Washington. The Park Service had identified a rehabilitation program covering 18 fountains and water features, and Newsweek says that announcement did not back up Trump's figure 2.
The Record
- The National Park Service signed a 50-year lease with National Links Trust to run East Potomac, Langston and Rock Creek as affordable public courses (reported as 2020; exact date not given) 2.
- A preservation group and two golfers sued over the redevelopment plans (reported as February; exact day not given) 2.
- Reyes held a hearing on the planned closure, and government lawyers cited seawall and other safety concerns 2.
- Reyes temporarily blocked the closure of East Potomac Park and its golf course, set to begin Nov. 15 1.
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Sources
- CBS News, “Federal judge blocks Trump from closing historic D.C. golf course, for now” (2026-11-15). cbsnews.com/news/judge-blocks-east-potomac-park-dc-closing/
- Newsweek, “Trump Vows 50% Discount for Locals Amid DC Golf Course Renovation Battle” (2026-11-14). newsweek.com/trump-vows-50-discount-for-locals-amid-dc-golf-
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More from the files
Judge orders new hearing as Justice Department confirms East Potomac golf course will close Nov. 15
The Justice Department told a federal court the park south of Buckeye Drive will shut down Nov. 15 for a Tom Fazio redesign, and Judge Ana Reyes wants senior officials in court Friday to explain it. The case tests whether the president's public promises can be squared with what his lawyers told a judge.
Preservation groups ask judge to block Nov. 15 closure of East Potomac golf course
Groups led by the DC Preservation League filed an emergency motion to stop Trump's closure of East Potomac Park. A hearing is set for Nov. 13, two days before the date the administration chose.
Judge bars tree removal at East Potomac golf course as Trump vows to close it Nov. 15
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes extended her block on cutting trees at the public course and required 10 days' notice before major changes. The government says it will appeal, and President Trump says the course will close Nov. 15 anyway.
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