# Trump plans major renovation of D.C. golf course amid legal fight

> President Trump announced plans to close and renovate the East Potomac Golf Links, a public course 2 miles south of the White House, despite an ongoing legal battle over the project.
- Title: Trump plans major renovation of D.C. golf course amid legal…
- Summary: President Trump announced plans to close and renovate the East Potomac Golf Links, a public course 2 miles south of the White House, despite an ongoing legal…
- Keywords: trump, east potomac golf links, washington d.c., golf course renovation, legal battle, national parks service, preservation groups, news, plans, major, renovation, golf
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/10/18/nx-s1-6007384/trump-to-close-and-renovate-d-c-golf-course-despite-legal-battle
- Published: 2026-10-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: trump, east potomac golf links, washington d.c., golf course renovation, legal battle, national parks service, preservation groups, news
## Trump announces golf course closure
President Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that the East Potomac Golf Links is old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect. Renovations will begin November fifteenth.

> old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect
## Course will close for fifteen months
The East Potomac Golf Links, located two miles south of the White House, will close for approximately fifteen months for renovations. Trump included a visual plan for a championship-style course.
## Legal challenge over public access
In February, a D.C. preservation group and two individuals challenged the Department of Interior and National Parks Service, arguing a championship-style golf course would inflate tee-time costs for a facility originally intended to be open…
## Government defends renovation plan
The Department of the Interior and National Parks Service argued that plaintiffs have not established any actual harms and that their desire for the NPS to cater to their preferences does not create a legally…

> plaintiffs' desire for NPS to cater to their aesthetic and recreational preferences does not create a legally protected interest
## Judge orders halt to tree cutting
Federal judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the administration to stop cutting down trees at the park during a heated hearing. On Friday, defendants filed a motion seeking to disqualify Reyes, accusing her of bias.

> Judge Reyes's behavior in this case is nothing short of egregious
## Preservation group vows to fight on
Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, said East Potomac Park is a national park meant for everyone to enjoy and that the organization will continue to defend it from unlawful and harmful intrusion.

> East Potomac Park is a national park, golf course, recreational facility that is meant for everyone to enjoy
## Next hearing scheduled for Monday
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday. Trump made no note of the legal fight in his announcement, focusing instead on the area being overgrown and the course being designed to hold…

> designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments
## Key takeaway

Trump announced plans to close the East Potomac Golf Links for approximately fifteen months starting November fifteenth for renovations, despite a legal challenge from preservation groups arguing the course should remain accessible to the public.