Judge delays East Potomac Golf Links redevelopment for two weeks

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary restraining order on Saturday, November 14, 2026, to delay work at East Potomac Golf Links for two weeks. The order prevents the government from closing East Potomac Park and the golf course during the daily hours they were open as of November 14, 2026. This legal intervention halts the scheduled closure of the site, which was set to begin on November 15, 2026.

Redevelopment and planned closures

President Donald Trump had scheduled the site to close for a 15-month period to facilitate renovations. The project involves redeveloping the site along the Potomac River into a championship-level golf course designed by architect Tom Fazio. This new course is intended to feature 18 holes. On October 26, 2026, President Donald Trump used social media to announce the upcoming closure.

President Donald Trump stated, "The site is closing as scheduled on November 15 to renovate and rebuild for competitive, safety, modernization, and aesthetic reasons." While the President has prioritized these improvements, the legal challenge against the project was initiated in February 2026 by the DC Preservation League and two local golfers. The plaintiffs argue the redevelopment will change the character of the course and make it unaffordable, while President Donald Trump denies this.

Safety concerns and legal arguments

The Department of Justice argued that the closure was necessary to address safety hazards. A Department of Justice lawyer cited a damaged seawall that causes regular flooding as a specific safety concern. Despite the current delay, a Department of Justice spokesperson said the court order does not preclude continued planning for the development of a world-class golf course.

The court has previously intervened in the management of the grounds. In October 2026, the court prohibited the Trump administration from removing trees from the golf course. This occurred after hundreds of trees were cut on the park grounds during that month. Judge Ana Reyes noted that the government's posts indicate the Washington National Plan is final and the National Park Service will close the park to implement it.

Scope of the judicial order

The current ruling allows the government to continue routine, temporary closures for imminent public safety threats and repairs, provided they provide advance notice. However, the broader redevelopment project remains subject to the current two-week delay. East Potomac Golf Links is a historic public golf course located near the White House along the Potomac River.

The National Links Trust (NLT) is the nonprofit that has managed the courses. The legal battle highlights the tension between historical preservation and the modernization of public recreational spaces along the Potomac River.

Glossary

• East Potomac Golf Links — East Potomac Golf Links is a historic public golf course located near the White House in Washington, D.C. It is located in East Potomac Park along the Potomac River.
• Department of Justice — The Department of Justice is a government entity. It has lawyers who argue legal matters, such as the necessity of site closures to address safety hazards.
• National Park Service — The National Park Service is an agency of the Department of the Interior. It is responsible for operating congressionally designated protected areas known as national parks.
• temporary restraining order — A temporary restraining order is a legal intervention or court order. It can be used to delay specific actions, such as work at a site or the closure of a park.