# Trump wants to seize a public golf course

> The president announced plans to close East Potomac Golf Links for renovation, sparking a legal fight over his power to reshape Washington.
- Title: Trump wants to seize a public golf course · Vox | Shortify
- Summary: The president announced plans to close East Potomac Golf Links for renovation, sparking a legal fight over his power to reshape Washington. Trump announced…
- Keywords: donald trump, east potomac golf links, washington dc, public parks, federal courts, presidential authority, news, culture, Trump, wants, seize, public
- Source: Vox — https://vox.com/the-logoff-newsletter-trump/506955/trump-east-potomac-golf-links-takeover
- Author: Cameron Peters
- Published: 2026-10-19T22:40:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, east potomac golf links, washington dc, public parks, federal courts, presidential authority, news, culture
## Trump announces golf course takeover
On Sunday, Trump announced that East Potomac Golf Links, a municipal golf course on the Potomac River in Washington, DC, would close next month for restoration work.
## The plan eliminates public space
According to a rendering of the restoration, the new course would transform a three-course complex into a single professional-caliber course, eliminating a popular public park and multiuse road around the course.
## Historic cherry trees at risk
The current course is home to some of DC's historic cherry trees, which would be removed as part of Trump's renovation scheme.
## Trump claims absolute authority
Trump has said that his administration has an absolute right to renovate the course and does not need approval, setting up a clash with federal courts.

> an absolute right
## Legal battle already underway
A DC preservation group has sued over the plan. A DC District Court judge is already questioning the removal of more than five hundred trees from the course.
## Key takeaway

Trump announced plans to close East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, DC for renovation, eliminating a public park and historic cherry trees, setting up a major legal battle over presidential authority.