President Trump announces renovation of East Potomac Golf Links amid ongoing lawsuit

President Trump announced that the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., will close for roughly 15 months beginning Nov. 15 for a renovation that aims to create a "world-class" tournament venue. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he described the existing course as "old, broken, dilapidated" and said the new design will meet the highest standards of golf.

The project has been contested in federal court. A preservation group and two private plaintiffs sued the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, arguing that converting the facility into a championship-style course could raise tee-time fees and limit public access. The agencies responded that the plaintiffs have not shown concrete harm and that their aesthetic preferences do not constitute a legally protected interest.

Federal Judge Ana C. Reyes previously ordered a halt to tree removal at the park. The defendants have filed a motion to disqualify the judge, alleging bias. The next court hearing is set for Monday.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, said the park is a national resource intended for all visitors and that the litigation seeks to protect it from what she called unlawful intrusion.

NPR has contacted the Department of the Interior and the White House for comment but has not received a response.