President Trump announces November start for East Potomac golf course renovation despite court order

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that restoration work on the East Potomac golf course in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to start on Nov. 15 and that the facility is expected to reopen in about 15 months. The announcement included a rendering of the proposed redesign, describing the course as "one of the Best and Most Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World."

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes had earlier this year ruled that the federal government must give notice before any substantive construction on the site proceeds and issued an order last week halting the removal of trees, which she described as "inexcusable." In response to Trump's post, Judge Reyes ordered the government to notify her by 8 p.m. ET on Sunday whether its position had changed from a filing on Friday that said the administration had only given "preliminary thought" to the project and that no final agency action had been taken.

The White House did not immediately comment on whether the president's announcement conflicts with the judge's directives.

Democracy Forward, representing plaintiffs challenging the renovation, said the course is a national park and recreation facility intended for public use. "Our litigation is intended to protect this community jewel for the people and communities it serves and we will continue to work with our plaintiffs to defend it from unlawful and harmful intrusion," said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of the organization.

The DC Preservation League, which sued in February to stop the administration's takeover of the golf course, argues the project would violate environmental laws and damage a historic site. In an October filing, the administration asked Judge Reyes to dismiss the case, calling the litigation premature because the project remains at an early conceptual stage. The government later removed about 500 trees, citing safety and a 2019 plan predating the president's ambitions, prompting Judge Reyes to order a halt to the removals.

Judge Reyes, appointed to the federal bench in 2023, has also ordered members of the administration to testify about the recent tree cutting and its connection to the renovation plans. The administration has filed a motion to disqualify the judge, alleging bias, a request opposed by the plaintiffs.