Preservation group asks judge to block reported Trump’s planned renovation of East Potomac Golf Course
A conservation watchdog group asked a federal judge Sunday to block the Trump administration from moving forward with plans to close East Potomac Golf Links for renovations.
NOTUS reported on Friday Landscaping, deferred maintenance and tree clearing work will begin Monday at the course in Hains Point outside Washington, DC. According to the outlet, the track will be renovated at a later date, with architect Tom Fazio expected to lead the project.
The D.C. Conservation League and two residents first filed a lawsuit against the administration in February. of the group deadline He’s asking U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, an appointee of former President Biden, to block the administration from dumping soil, debris or waste on the site from the White House East Wing construction project and taking other steps to renovate it.
For months, construction crews have been dumping debris from the East Wing demolition onto the white lot of East Potomac, and the orange pile sits in the middle of the layout.
The Washington Post also reported on Saturday One of President Trump’s top fundraisers said he is seeking donations to fund renovations in East Potomac, with images showing a redesigned route for a new nonprofit.
“Despite court filings, the Trump-Vance administration appears to be moving aggressively toward closing D.C.’s largest public golf course to explore another pet project of the president that would benefit him,” Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement Sunday.
Democracy Forward is representing the plaintiffs in the case.
“We ask the court to take immediate action to save this important part of our national park system from becoming another victim of reckless management,” Perryman added. “We are honored to partner with our plaintiffs in fighting this unlawful attack on our precious public spaces and look forward to defending this case.”
The filing is the latest in a month-long ordeal after the administration in December terminated the lease the National Links Trust (NLT), a nonprofit organization, signed with the National Park Service in 2020 to operate East Potomac, Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park Golf Course.
The nonprofit was only five years into a 50-year lease. National Links Trust has been running the courses on an interim basis since management terminated the agreement. Rock Creek, whose lease is renewed until terminated opened for the season on Friday.
NLT on Saturday published a statement He said the NOTUS report was “a complete surprise to us.” While the media also reported that management had offered NLT a renewed lease for Rock Creek, the trust stated that it had received no such offer and that there was “no indication of what the future holds” at Langston.
The Department of Internal Affairs recently asked the NFL’s charitable organization, the Washington Commanders, to monitor Langston. According to WUSA9-TV in the nation’s capital. A spokesman for the commanders confirmed the request to the station.
Meanwhile, golfers are still tea time reservation Monday and later in East Potomac, Langston and Rock Creek.
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