Renovation of Washington Golf Course to Start Immediately Following Court’s Block on Tree Cutting

President Donald Trump said renovation work was “scheduled to begin immediately” on a golf course in the nation’s capital after a recent court order blocked tree-cutting at the site.

“The United States Department of Interior wants to take a terrible and very unsafe golf course, and make it into a great, safe, and prestigious golf course,” Trump stated Oct. 19 on Truth Social. “They have an absolute right to do so. It’s as simple as that!”

Redevelopment work at East Potomac Golf Links, a 36-hole public course about 3 miles from the White House in East Potomac Park, will begin immediately, Trump said.

The president announced the day before that the project would start Nov. 15 and required the facility to close for 15 months for redevelopment.

Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed work on the project was continuing Monday. Workers were seen on the course with heavy equipment during an interview with Burgum on FOX News.

Trump also commented on a recent lawsuit filed by two golfers and the D.C. Preservation League over environmental reviews and the removal of trees, harshly criticizing the judge overseeing the case.

“The random golfer bringing the ridiculous lawsuit has ZERO STANDING! The experts at ‘Interior’ are allowed to do this First Class renovation “as of right.” They do not need an approval,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The plaintiffs claim the renovation plans are causing irreversible damage and would violate the congressional act that created the park where the course is located.

U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes for the District of Columbia on Monday grilled the Trump administration over work on the century-old course after she ordered a temporary halt on tree removals last week.

On Sunday, Reyes denied the administration’s request to step aside from the case. The administration accused her of being “hostile” and showing bias against the government in last week’s emergency hearing over tree cutting on the property.

Reyes admitted she became “furious” and “beyond disappointed” during the Oct. 12 hearing after the government cut more than 430 trees on a holiday weekend before the court could decide on a temporary restraining order, but denied other allegations.

The judge ended Monday’s hearing saying she was receiving threats over the case.

In May, Bugum shared a rendering of the renovation design by renowned American golf course architect Tom Fazio.

“Like iconic public courses of Bethpage Black & Torrey Pines, East Potomac will offer locals—of the National Capital Region—championship-quality golf at affordable, highly discounted rates,” Burgum stated in a May 14 post on X.

Plans shared in May for the redesigned course show a par-72, 7,660-yard 18-hole layout with new water features. The facility also appeared to include a practice area and a nine-hole short course.

Fazio and his Florida-based firm have designed over 200 golf courses worldwide, including the exclusive Shadow Creek Golf Club in North Las Vegas and several high-profile national and global courses known for dramatic layouts.

For Monday’s hearing, Justice Department official Stanley Woodward told the judge in court documents that plans were not yet finalized for the park because the Park Service had not completed its review.

Reyes told the plaintiffs that a work stoppage order for the entire project was unlikely.

Democratic lawmakers have criticized the administration’s plans for the golf course, calling the redesign “Donald Trump’s latest vanity project.”

“For years the Department has treated the East Potomac Park seawall as a low priority, even as it tumbled; but that changed when President Trump set his sights on a new golf course,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in September to Burgum and National Park Service acting Director Jessica Bowron.

Some residents said the redesign and upgrade would make the course less accessible to beginner golfers and the general public. The course was known as an affordable course for locals who wanted to learn to play.

Save East Po, a social media group on X, called the plans unacceptable on Oct. 18.

“It’s just sad to think that a cherished public park that serves all of us could be stolen and converted into a luxury golf course. It really is that simple,” Save East Po posted on X.

The Trump administration canceled the 50-year lease agreement held by the nonprofit National Links Trust to operate three public golf courses in the nation’s capital in December 2025, including the East Potomac Golf Links and the Oak Creek Park golf courses.

A new long-term lease agreement was signed with National Links Trust to operate the three public golf courses in the nation’s capital, including East Potomac Golf Links.

The trust “will continue to operate East Potomac Golf Links as the National Park Service carries out ongoing work on deferred maintenance ahead of the facility’s historic restoration,” the groups said in a statement.

“We thank President Trump for reaching an agreement that keeps Washington, D.C.’s three public golf courses open, welcoming and affordable community gathering places for DC residents and all golfers,” Mike McCartin and Will Smith, co-founders of the trust, said. “We look forward to continuing providing our expertise in operating and managing these beloved and historic courses and to making DC proud.”

The organization plans to restore Rock Creek Park Golf Course, adding a new clubhouse, driving range, practice facilities, and maintenance facility.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.