From NBC News · Megan Brand · · 2m
Trump announces D.C. golf course renovation plan
President Trump announced a fifteen-month renovation of East Potomac Golf Links as a legal battle over the project continues in federal court.
In brief
President Trump announced a fifteen-month renovation of East Potomac Golf Links as a legal battle over the project continues in federal court. Trump announced plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links into a championship course starting November fifteenth, but the project faces ongoing legal challenges from…
Trump announces golf course plan
President Trump announced Sunday on Truth Social that the administration has developed a plan to redevelop East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. into a championship course.
Architect and scope of work
The Interior Department worked with golf course architect Tom Fazio to develop the plan. Renovations would begin November fifteenth and take about fifteen months to complete.
Tournament-ready facility planned
When completed, the course will be open to the public and designed to hold world-class tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup.
Legal challenge already filed
The proposed renovation has been challenged in court by a preservation group and two D.C. residents. Justice Department attorneys have argued the plans were hypothetical and not rooted in any formal plan.
Judge orders clarification
Following Trump's announcement, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the administration to inform her whether it still plans to argue the project is purely preliminary and not final agency action.
Hundreds of trees cut down
The administration cut down hundreds of trees from the course. Judge Reyes said she was furious and forbade further tree cutting through October twenty-sixth.
“I was hearing from everyone on plaintiffs' side this was going to happen. I said repeatedly, 'No, I trust the government.' I trusted you all not to do precisely what you have done.”
Judge loses confidence in government
Judge Reyes said the tree-cutting incident cost the government all of its credibility. She required three business days' written advance notice before any irreparable modification to the course.
“cost the government all of its credibility”
Administration seeks judge's recusal
On Friday, the administration asked Judge Reyes to recuse herself, arguing her histrionics in prior hearings have clearly demonstrated she is no longer impartial.
Hearing scheduled for Monday
Judge Reyes will hold a hearing Monday in which she has called on the acting director of the National Park Service and the Interior Department's chief of staff to testify under oath.
Trump's broader D.C. renovation agenda
The golf course renovation is the latest in a string of major changes Trump has tried to make to the D.C.
At a glance
Trump announced plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links into a championship course starting November fifteenth, but the project faces ongoing legal challenges from preservation groups and residents.
