Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s plan to redevelop East Potomac golf course in D.C.

A federal judge in Washington on Saturday issued a temporary restraining order that bars the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Park’s nine‑hole golf course to the public while it pursues a redevelopment plan. The ruling halts the administration’s effort to shutter the course and convert the land into a mixed‑use recreational space, a move the president has touted as a way to “revitalize” the historic site.

The dispute dates back to early 2024, when the Interior Department announced it would seek to transfer the golf course to the National Park Service and then redevelop it with new trails, a nature preserve and a visitor center. Officials said the project would improve access to the Potomac River shoreline and generate revenue. Critics argue the plan would eliminate one of the few affordable public golf options in the nation’s capital and violate the 1964 National Historic Preservation Act, which protects the course’s historic design. Environmental groups also raised concerns that the redevelopment could damage wetlands and disrupt wildlife habitats along the river.

The judge’s order came after a coalition of local lawmakers, the D.C. government and the National Golf Foundation filed a lawsuit claiming the administration had not completed required environmental reviews or consulted the public. In her opinion, the judge said the plaintiffs showed a likelihood of success on the merits and that closing the course would cause “irreparable harm” to the community. The decision does not end the case; it merely preserves the status quo while the court reviews the merits of the challenge.

The administration has said it will appeal the ruling and continue to push the project forward, arguing the redevelopment will benefit the public and align with broader federal recreation goals. Meanwhile, the D.C. mayor’s office pledged to keep the course open and to work with stakeholders on a compromise that could preserve the golf facility while adding new amenities. The next hearing is slated for next month, and the outcome could shape how federal agencies balance historic preservation, environmental protection and public recreation in urban parks.