East Potomac Park saw temporary fencing go up on Saturday in Washington, as a federal judge intervened to halt an impending 15-month closure.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary restraining order on Saturday, blocking any work at the historic East Potomac Golf Links just before the site was scheduled to shut down on Sunday, NPR reported. The president’s plan aims to redevelop the property along the Potomac River into a championship-level venue.
This morning, a federal judge ordered a stop. Trump's administration must get court approval before cutting down more than 10 trees — with "serious consequences" for any effort to circumvent the court. Public land belongs to the people, NOT the president.https://t.co/87WzpzRigz https://t.co/brEG6rLH2h
“irreparably injure plaintiffs and the public interest,” the DC Preservation League and two local golfers argued in a legal challenge initiated in February, saying the project would alter the accessible golf course and make it unaffordable. The court’s decision was heavily influenced by social media posts from President Donald Trump detailing the closure date and renovation scope, according to court filings cited by NPR.
“They indicate that the Washington National Plan is final and that NPS will close the Park to implement it,” Reyes wrote in her ruling.
Justice Department lawyer Adam Gustafson argued during a Friday hearing that the entire park was closing for safety reasons and that the lease with current operator National Links Trust was ending on Sunday. Reyes countered that safety had not been part of the discussion for months, noting the lease expiration felt like a pretext for closing the course located about two miles from the White House.
Connecticut Public reported that during a tense Monday hearing, Reyes rebuked administration lawyers over the apparent intent to proceed despite the court order. “Do I believe the president of the United States or do I believe you?” she asked the attorneys.
The Justice Department said that the court acknowledged the National Park Service can limit access where the public faces harm, adding that the administration’s agenda will be vigorously defended in court. Conversely, Catherine Carroll praised the ruling.
The temporary restraining order remains in effect through November 28, 2026, or until further order from the court. Meanwhile, the administration filed a motion requesting Reyes remove herself from the case due to alleged bias, a request the judge declined.
The court has also planned to name former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu to examine whether officials from the Interior Department, National Park Service, and Justice Department misled the court or violated ethics during the proceedings.
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