Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration from Closing DC Golf Course

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (OPA) — US District Judge Ana Reyes issued a 30-page decision on Saturday halting the planned closure of the 106-year-old East Potomac Golf Links, situated two miles south of the White House. President Donald Trump had announced that the public facility would close on 15 November for a 15-month renovation project to upgrade the course. Reyes ruled that the administration's justifications for the closure were pretextual and violated at least two federal laws to meet an arbitrary deadline.

The ruling prevents the government from closing the park or its golf course until 28 November, though Reyes noted the administration is not required to actively manage the property. Trump previously dismissed the current facility as dilapidated and hazardous on social media, promising to transform it into a world-class tournament venue. However, the DC Preservation League and other plaintiffs filed suit in February to challenge the redevelopment plans, initiating the ongoing litigation.

The legal dispute intensified in October when the National Park Service began removing hundreds of trees without notifying the court until hours before work commenced. The sudden action prompted Reyes to issue a temporary work stoppage and subsequently open a separate inquiry into whether Department of Justice attorneys made misrepresentations or withheld information from the court.

Reyes stated she will carry out the judicial inquiry with an independent special master to determine if government attorneys acted in bad faith or violated ethical rules. The temporary restraining order maintains the legal status quo while further proceedings are scheduled to address the broader redevelopment and environmental challenges surrounding the historic parkland.