Judge questions DOJ on Trump golf course renovation plans in DC

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has ordered the Justice Department to clarify whether there is a plan to close East Potomac Golf Course around November 15, 2026, following social media posts by former President Donald Trump about the renovation project, WTOP reported.

The judge's order came after Trump criticized Reyes’ temporary injunction that halted work at East Potomac Park, which was issued largely because of Trump's earlier announcements that construction would begin next month and that the golf course would be closed for 15 months, according to WTOP.

Judge Reyes expressed skepticism, noting that the Justice Department urged the court not to believe the sitting president's statements about the project, including claims that restoration work would start immediately and that the course would be closed for over a year, WTOP reported.

The preliminary injunction currently bars the government from removing or damaging additional trees on the golf course and requires a 10-day written notice before any irreparable changes to the course can be made while the lawsuit is ongoing, according to WTOP.

Plaintiffs including the DC Preservation League and two golfers argue that the renovation work is causing irreversible harm to the historic site, and critics say the plan could make the course unaffordable for the public and disrupt other uses of the area, WTOP added.

Judge Reyes also criticized the government for cutting down at least 400 trees during the legal proceedings, highlighting concerns over the project's impact on the golf course and surrounding environment, WTOP reported.