Preservation groups ask judge to block Nov. 15 closure of East Potomac golf course

Preservation groups filed an emergency motion Thursday to stop the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Park in Washington on November 15. The park includes a historic public golf course and nearby recreation areas. The groups include the DC Preservation League ¹.

They asked U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes for a temporary restraining order, or a 14-day stay, while the court weighs a broader preliminary injunction. A hearing is scheduled for November 13 ¹.

Safety concerns versus redevelopment

The National Park Service says the park must close because of safety problems, including deteriorating seawalls and flooding along the Potomac River. Acting Park Service Director Jessica Bowron stated in a declaration that officials found more than 80 holes and depressions along the seawall promenade ¹.

Opponents say those problems do not justify closing the whole park. They argue that dangerous sections could be fenced off. They also accuse the administration of using safety as a reason to clear the way for Trump's redevelopment plan ¹.

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They point to the Marine Corps Marathon, which ran through the park on October 25, days before the closure was announced. Opponents ask why the park was safe for thousands of runners and spectators then but must now close entirely ¹.

The closure would also shut Ohio Drive, a popular route for runners and cyclists around Hains Point ¹.

What Trump wants to build

Trump wants to replace the existing 36-hole public facility, which has three courses, with an 18-hole championship course designed by Tom Fazio. The administration sent its proposal to the National Capital Planning Commission on October 30. The commission is scheduled to consider it on December 3 ¹.

That means the park would close more than two weeks before the commission takes up the plan. The submission includes a $304.5 million seawall repair project. It does not say what the golf course work would cost or how long it would take ¹.

The administration also cites the exit of National Links Trust, the nonprofit that runs the course. It will stop operating East Potomac by November 15 but keep Rock Creek and Langston, the city's two other municipal courses, under a 50-year lease ¹.

A case already full of conflict

Last month, Park Service workers cut down more than 400 trees at East Potomac. Reyes then barred further tree removal without court approval. She also required advance notice before the course is closed or irreversible changes are made ¹.

On October 30, Reyes opened a formal inquiry into whether Justice Department lawyers and administration officials misled the court about the plans. She said she would appoint a special master to investigate. No finding of wrongdoing has been made ¹.

Earlier in October, the Justice Department asked Reyes to step aside, accusing her of bias against the administration. Reports noted that adverse rulings do not by themselves establish bias, and she has not been removed ².

The Trump plan is against the law so we're in court to shut that down.

Trump has defended the project, calling the current course dangerous and badly maintained. In a Truth Social post last month, he said he would hold Reyes responsible if anyone was injured or killed at the site ¹.

What happens next is up to Reyes. If she grants no relief, the park closes on November 15, before the planning commission votes. If she grants a stay, the case continues with the park open ¹.

The Record

1. Oct 25, 2026The Marine Corps Marathon passes through East Potomac Park ¹.
2. Oct 30, 2026The administration submits its redevelopment plan to the National Capital Planning Commission, and Judge Reyes opens an inquiry into whether the court was misled ¹.
3. Nov 5, 2026Preservation groups file an emergency motion to block the Nov. 15 closure ¹.
4. Nov 13, 2026Hearing scheduled on the emergency motion ¹.

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<h2>Preservation groups ask judge to block Nov. 15 closure of East Potomac golf course</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files White House Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/preservation-groups-ask-judge-to-block-nov-15-closure-of-east-potomac-golf-course">The GOP Files</a> on Friday, November 6, 2026.</em></p> <p>Preservation groups filed an emergency motion Thursday to stop the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Park in Washington on November 15. The park includes a historic public golf course and nearby recreation areas. The groups include the DC Preservation League .</p> <p>They asked U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes for a temporary restraining order, or a 14-day stay, while the court weighs a broader preliminary injunction. A hearing is scheduled for November 13 .</p> <h2>Safety concerns versus redevelopment</h2> <p>The National Park Service says the park must close because of safety problems, including deteriorating seawalls and flooding along the Potomac River. Acting Park Service Director Jessica Bowron stated in a declaration that officials found more than 80 holes and depressions along the seawall promenade .</p> <p>Opponents say those problems do not justify closing the whole park. They argue that dangerous sections could be fenced off. They also accuse the administration of using safety as a reason to clear the way for Trump&#39;s redevelopment plan .</p> <p>They point to the Marine Corps Marathon, which ran through the park on October 25, days before the closure was announced. Opponents ask why the park was safe for thousands of runners and spectators then but must now close entirely .</p> <p>The closure would also shut Ohio Drive, a popular route for runners and cyclists around Hains Point .</p> <h2>What Trump wants to build</h2> <p>Trump wants to replace the existing 36-hole public facility, which has three courses, with an 18-hole championship course designed by Tom Fazio. The administration sent its proposal to the National Capital Planning Commission on October 30. The commission is scheduled to consider it on December 3 .</p> <p>That means the park would close more than two weeks before the commission takes up the plan. The submission includes a $304.5 million seawall repair project. It does not say what the golf course work would cost or how long it would take .</p> <p>The administration also cites the exit of National Links Trust, the nonprofit that runs the course. It will stop operating East Potomac by November 15 but keep Rock Creek and Langston, the city&#39;s two other municipal courses, under a 50-year lease .</p> <h2>A case already full of conflict</h2> <p>Last month, Park Service workers cut down more than 400 trees at East Potomac. Reyes then barred further tree removal without court approval. She also required advance notice before the course is closed or irreversible changes are made .</p> <p>On October 30, Reyes opened a formal inquiry into whether Justice Department lawyers and administration officials misled the court about the plans. She said she would appoint a special master to investigate. No finding of wrongdoing has been made .</p> <p>Earlier in October, the Justice Department asked Reyes to step aside, accusing her of bias against the administration. Reports noted that adverse rulings do not by themselves establish bias, and she has not been removed .</p> <blockquote><p>The Trump plan is against the law so we&#39;re in court to shut that down.</p><p>&mdash; Norman Eisen, attorney for the DC Preservation League</p></blockquote> <p>Trump has defended the project, calling the current course dangerous and badly maintained. In a Truth Social post last month, he said he would hold Reyes responsible if anyone was injured or killed at the site .</p> <p>What happens next is up to Reyes. If she grants no relief, the park closes on November 15, before the planning commission votes. If she grants a stay, the case continues with the park open .</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/preservation-groups-ask-judge-to-block-nov-15-closure-of-east-potomac-golf-course">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/preservation-groups-ask-judge-to-block-nov-15-closure-of-east-potomac-golf-course.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

1. Newsweek, “Trump Faces 11th-Hour Legal Bid to Halt Closure of Historic DC Golf Course” (2026-11-06). newsweek.com/trump-legal-bid-halt-closure-historic-dc-golf-c
2. WJLA, “Trump announces 15-month East Potomac Golf Links closure amid court fight” (2026-10-18). wjla.com/news/local/donald-trump-east-potomac-golf-links-was

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