President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to turn a century-old public golf course in Washington, D.C., into a PGA-level facility is back in the headlines.
On Sunday, Trump said in a Truth Social post that work will begin on the East Potomac Golf Links course on Nov. 15 and the course will be closed for around 15 months, calling it “old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use.”
The famous, public golf course is just 2 miles from the White House and has sweeping views of the Potomac River and several monuments on the National Mall. Trump’s plan has raised concerns from many locals who value its low greens fees and laid-back vibe and from the many bikers, runners and others who use the surrounding park areas.
In February, the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction challenged the National Parks Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior over the plans in court. The plaintiffs’ argue converting East Potomac into a “championship-style golf course” would inflate costs for a course that was designed for “all people.”
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, had asked the administration this summer to give advance notice of any major construction and provide long-term plans for the site. Citing other projects of the president’s, she said, “I don’t want another demolished East Wing; I don’t want another demolished Reflecting Pool.”
Then, two weeks ago, hundreds of trees were taken down on the site without notice, prompting Reyes to prohibit officials from cutting down any more trees until Oct. 26. The administration filed a motion to disqualify Reyes, accusing her of yelling at a government attorney for cutting down trees..
Sunday evening, Reyes refused the DOJ’s demand to step down. But, Monday morning, Trump again took to Truth Social saying that work on the golf course was scheduled to begin immediately.
A new design released by Trump over the weekend appears to change the existing 36 holes across three courses to an 18-hole course long enough to host professional tournaments. In the renderings, the existing mini golf course, bike path, road and park area around the course appear to be gone.
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