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A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's plan to renovate the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C. On Saturday (November 14), U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a halt to the renovation work, which was set to begin Sunday (November 15), citing violations of federal laws in the administration's rush to meet an "arbitrary deadline." The judge's decision keeps the park open for now.
The Trump administration planned to transform the nearly 400-acre public park into a championship-level golf course, which Trump has referred to as "Trash Island." According to The Independent, Trump argued that the renovation would attract major events like the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup.
Judge Reyes questioned the urgency of the closure, pointing out that safety issues were not mentioned until recently. She noted that the administration likely skipped required environmental reviews and public comment periods, violating the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The legal dispute intensified during a contentious court hearing on Friday (November 13), where Reyes expressed skepticism about the government's reasons for the sudden closure. The administration argued that the park's deteriorating infrastructure, including a failing seawall, necessitated the closure. However, Reyes seemed unconvinced, suggesting that the explanations were pretexts.
The case has become a broader legal battle, with Reyes planning to appoint former U.S. attorney Jessie Liu as a special master to investigate potential misconduct by the government. The administration has appealed Reyes's previous rulings, including one blocking tree removal at the site.
The Justice Department maintains that the National Park Service can limit access to its facilities when public safety is at risk. However, Reyes's order requires the park to remain open until at least November 28, allowing time for further legal proceedings.