A federal judge is demanding answers from the Justice Department after President Donald Trump declared that East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., will close next month for a major overhaul, despite her ruling temporarily halting the project.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a new status hearing for either Friday or Monday and directed Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. to appear in person. She gave government lawyers roughly 24 hours to clarify whether any plan exists to close the course on or around Nov. 15, and if so, how that squares with what DOJ attorneys previously told the court.
The order came after Trump took to social media late Monday, shortly after Reyes issued a temporary injunction blocking further alterations at East Potomac Park. The president wrote that the course would close as scheduled on Nov. 15 so it could be renovated and rebuilt for competitive, safety, modernization and aesthetic reasons.
Trump also blasted the judge’s requirement that the administration provide advance notice of work at the site.
“Not fair, appropriate, or Constitutional,” Trump wrote, arguing that the judge has no expertise in golf, architecture or construction. He said the administration would appeal the ruling.
Reyes said the post contradicts testimony from DOJ lawyers, who told the court they were unaware of any future plans for tree removal ahead of the project’s start. It isn’t the first time the president’s posts have clashed with courtroom testimony. On the morning of an earlier hearing, Trump posted that work would begin immediately, but administration officials later testified under oath that they knew of no final plan.
The legal fight escalated after the administration cut down more than 400 trees at the historic course, prompting Reyes to order a pause and criticize government attorneys for failing to give advance notice. In her latest ruling, the judge concluded the administration likely violated environmental laws and rejected a new government argument, writing that parties cannot change course whenever the evidence suits them.
Trump has made revamping the course a personal priority. He first proposed transforming the public facility into a professional-grade 18-hole layout in May and released detailed plans on Oct. 18 to combine its three existing courses into one. He has enlisted renowned golf architect Tom Fazio to design an 18-hole championship-length course, and has said the facility would be closed for 15 months.
The president has repeatedly argued that East Potomac is in poor shape and even dangerous to play, and has ridiculed Reyes over her handling of the case.
Critics, including golfers who sued to stop the project, argue the renovation would strip residents of an affordable public course. East Potomac was the busiest course in the D.C. area in 2025, hosting 124,500 rounds. Runners, cyclists and birdwatchers who use the park have also rallied against the plan.
For now, the course’s operator still lists its Blue, White and Red courses, driving range and practice areas as open.
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