Hundreds of trees were removed at East Potomac Park Golf Course ahead of the scheduled closure which has been challenged in court. Today's verdict will decide whether it will be closed from November 15.
The Donald Trump administration has run into a legal tiff after it announced that it would close the East Potomac Park and the historic public golf course from November 15. While the closure is said to be for renovation and redevelopment, preservation groups and golfers sought an emergency court order to prevent the shutdown, arguing that the administration is using safety concerns as a pretext to advance Trump's plan to transform the historic public facility into a championship-level golf course. The renovation would take at least 15 months. US District Judge Ana C. Reyes heard more than five hours of arguments on Friday, November 13, but did not immediately issue a ruling on the request. She was expected to decide the matter on Saturday, a day before the planned closure. So as of now, the park will be closed today at 9 pm but the court verdict can change things. During the hearing, Reyes repeatedly questioned the administration's justification for shutting down the entire area, particularly its claims about deteriorating infrastructure and the need to address safety hazards. The judge asked why the government could not simply fence off sections considered dangerous instead of closing the entire park. She also questioned the lack of a clear funding arrangement or timeline for repairing the deteriorating seawall. The administration has argued that the closure is necessary because of safety concerns and the departure of National Links Trust, the nonprofit organization that has operated the golf course. However, the judge questioned whether the departure of the operator justified shutting down the surrounding public parkland.
Why does Trump want to redevelop East Potomac Park?
Trump has proposed transforming the existing East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level golf facility capable of hosting major tournaments. The proposed redesign is associated with golf architect Tom Fazio. The plan would replace the existing public golf facilities with a new championship-style course. The administration has said the proposal is still subject to environmental and historic-preservation reviews and public consultation. The National Park Service's planned closure covers the area south of Buckeye Drive, including the golf course, Ohio Drive, waterfront promenade, fishing areas and other recreational facilities. The Justice Department has said the closure is separate from the proposed redevelopment. However, government lawyers acknowledged in court that Trump had directed the closure.
This is a historic park: Preservation groups challenge administration in court
The DC Preservation League and two regular golfers filed a lawsuit in February challenging the administration's plans for East Potomac Golf Links. The plaintiffs argued that the proposed redevelopment could cause irreversible damage to the historic park and restrict public access. They have also accused the administration of moving ahead without completing the environmental and historic-preservation reviews required for major changes to the site. The legal dispute intensified in October after hundreds of trees were removed from the golf course. On October 26, Reyes issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the administration from cutting down or damaging additional trees without court approval. The order also required the government to provide advance written notice before closing the course or making other irreversible changes. The Trump administration appealed the injunction, but Reyes refused to suspend it on November 9. The preservation groups then filed an emergency request seeking to prevent the November 15 closure while the broader lawsuit continues.
Judge launches inquiry into whether Trump administration misled court
During an earlier hearing in October, officials from the Interior Department and National Park Service appeared unaware of Trump's publicly announced November 15 closure plan when questioned by the judge. The conflicting accounts prompted Reyes to pursue an inquiry into whether administration officials and government lawyers misled the court about the redevelopment plans and the removal of hundreds of trees.
On Saturday, November 14, Reyes said the inquiry would proceed despite the Justice Department's objections. She indicated that she was prepared to oversee the investigation herself. The judge had identified former US attorney Jessie K. Liu as a possible special master to examine whether government officials and lawyers violated their ethical obligations. However, she did not decide on Friday whether to appoint Liu, after the Justice Department challenged the proposed appointment.
