Donald Trump sitting at a stadium
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Donald Trump criticizes D.C. golf course
President Donald Trump called East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., “Trash Island” in an October 2026 Truth Social post. His comments came amid federal litigation over proposed renovations to the historic public golf facility.
The dispute concerns plans to redesign the course near Hains Point and remove trees from the property. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes is overseeing the lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions at the site.
President Donald Trump at an event
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Donald Trump shares golf course photos
Donald Trump shared photographs of East Potomac Golf Links on Truth Social as the legal dispute over its renovation continued. His posts focused on the condition of the public golf facility in Washington, D.C.
Trump described the property as deteriorating and raised concerns about the shoreline and existing facilities. He also criticized the federal judge overseeing the case, connecting his public comments to the ongoing dispute over redevelopment.
Donald Trump at an event
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Donald Trump announces November closure
Donald Trump announced on October 18, 2026, that East Potomac Golf Links would close on November 15 for a renovation expected to take approximately 15 months. He published the proposed schedule on Truth Social.
The announced timeline would place reopening around February 2028 if construction proceeded as described. During subsequent court proceedings, government lawyers said no final redevelopment plan or formal closure decision had been established.
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks in Washington DC
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Donald Trump names golf course designer
Donald Trump identified golf course architect Tom Fazio in his October 18 announcement about East Potomac Golf Links. The president also shared a rendering showing a proposed redesign of the Washington, D.C., facility.
During the October 19 hearing, Interior Department official Gregory Wischer discussed conceptual plans involving Fazio and his son Gavin. Government lawyers maintained that the redevelopment had not reached the stage of a finalized, approved design.
U.S. President Donald Trump at an event
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Donald Trump proposes championship layout
Donald Trump’s proposed redesign of East Potomac Golf Links features an 18-hole championship course replacing the existing 36-hole public golf facility. The October 18 rendering shows substantial changes across the Hains Point peninsula.
The proposed layout extends across much of the property between the surrounding waterways. Trump said the redesigned course could host major tournaments, including the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, and Presidents Cup.
East Potomac Golf Course
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East Potomac Golf Links faces lawsuit
East Potomac Golf Links became the subject of a federal lawsuit filed in February 2026 by the DC Preservation League and 2 local golfers. The plaintiffs challenged the administration’s proposed changes to the public facility.
The lawsuit raises questions about environmental protections, historic preservation requirements, and public access. The Interior Department has disputed the plaintiffs’ claims, arguing that their recreational preferences do not establish a legally protected injury.
Fun fact: East Potomac Golf Links, then East Potomac Park, hosted the second annual U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in June 1923 on its Blue Course.
Cut tree trunk and stumps arranged in a circle.
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Judge Ana Reyes halts tree removal
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily halted additional tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links in October 2026. The restrictions followed the removal of hundreds of trees from the historic Washington, D.C., property.
The court extended restrictions on tree cutting through October 26 while reviewing the government’s actions. Reyes also required advance notice of work that could permanently change the site, allowing further judicial review during the litigation.
National Park Service arrowhead insignia outdoors.
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National Park Service removes 430 trees
National Park Service crews removed approximately 430 trees from East Potomac Golf Links on October 10, 2026. Government officials disclosed the figure during an emergency federal court hearing held 2 days later.
The Washington Post reported that another 299 trees were identified for possible removal at that stage. The extensive cutting prompted questions about whether the work was connected to the proposed golf course redevelopment.
East Potomac Golf Course
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National Park Service cites 2019 report
National Park Service officials attributed the tree removal to recommendations contained in a 2019 Cultural Landscape Report. The agency described the work as restoring historic features of East Potomac Golf Links rather than beginning Trump’s redesign.
During the October 19 hearing, Judge Ana Reyes questioned the timing of work recommended in the earlier report. Government witnesses maintained that the tree management project was separate from the proposed championship golf course.
President Trump at the golf course.
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Judge Ana Reyes questions conflicting plans
Judge Ana Reyes questioned conflicting accounts of the East Potomac renovation during an October 19 hearing in Washington, D.C. Trump’s public statements described a proposed schedule, while government lawyers said no final redevelopment plan existed.
Acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron testified that she had not been informed of the announced November closure. Justice Department lawyers maintained that the redevelopment remained subject to further review and official decisions.
Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C.
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Justice Department seeks judge’s removal
The Justice Department filed a motion seeking Judge Ana Reyes’s removal from the East Potomac Golf Links case in October 2026. Government lawyers alleged that her conduct demonstrated bias against the Trump administration.
Reyes rejected the recusal request before the October 19 hearing. The Associated Press reported that she found the government had not established sufficient legal grounds to remove her from the case.
Aerial view of a green golf course
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East Potomac renovation faces cost questions
East Potomac Golf Links’ proposed renovation has been associated with a preliminary construction estimate ranging from $20 million to $49 million. Government planning documents discussed the project before a final redevelopment budget was established.
The property’s shoreline also requires attention because East Potomac Park faces flooding and drainage problems. Seawall reconstruction could entail substantial, separate costs, leaving the full financial scope of the proposed improvements unresolved.
Wondering what legal challenges Donald Trump’s proposed golf course is facing? Explore why Donald Trump’s proposed golf course draws legal opposition.
Aerial view of a neatly arranged green golf course
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East Potomac Golf Links awaits court action
East Potomac Golf Links remained at the center of federal litigation as of October 22, 2026. Judge Ana Reyes had not issued a final decision following the October 19 hearing on the proposed redevelopment.
The temporary restraining order blocks additional tree removal through October 26 and requires 3 business days’ notice before work that could irreversibly alter the property. The administration continues to support the renovation of the course, while the plaintiffs are seeking environmental, historic-preservation, and public-access protections.
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Do you think Donald Trump’s proposed renovation of East Potomac Golf Links is worth the cost and changes to the historic course? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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