Trump’s golf course showdown tees off in DC

It’s Monday. New week, fresh start and another chance to convince ourselves we’ve got it all together.

Affordability concerns hinder Trump message

Programming note : Hello! We are Steff Danielle Thomas and Elliott Davis filling in for Cate. Please send your tips, comments and story ideas to sthomas@thehill.com or edavis@thehill.com .

The Associated Press | Julia Demaree Nikhinson and Mark Schiefelbein

President Trump has big plans for one of Washington, D.C.’s most popular public golf courses. But first, he’ll have to get past a federal judge who isn’t backing down on her scrutiny of the project amid mounting questions about its legality.

All eyes are on Monday’s hearing over the future of East Potomac Park, where U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes is pressing the administration for answers after crews cut down hundreds of trees earlier this month, including some of the park’s famous cherry trees.

Courtroom showdown: Reyes refused the Justice Department of Justice’s (DOJ) demand that she step aside over accusations of bias. Trump piled on Monday , calling her a “crazed lunatic” in a post on Truth Social.

Now, the judge wants to hear directly from officials who actually know Trump’s plans for the property — testimony the DOJ has so far resisted. And she’s prepared to keep the hearing going all day if that’s what it takes.

What’s Trump planning? The president unveiled a proposal Sunday to turn the affordable public course into a championship-level facility designed by famed architect Tom Fazio , with hopes of hosting major professional tournaments.

The president says the course will close Nov. 15 for a renovation lasting roughly 15 months.

But local golfers and preservationists aren’t exactly cheering. They’re worried about the future of the popular recreational space, while questions remain about the project’s cost and environmental impact.

The Hill’s Dominick Mastrangelo breaks it all down in Keeping Score. 📖 Insiders can read here .

Trump is facing growing frustration from within his own party over Russia — and with the midterms just two weeks away, the timing isn’t ideal.

Republicans are pushing back against the president’s decision to waive sanctions against Moscow, just days before they were set to take effect under a law Congress passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Darline Graham (R-S.C.) have pushed back on the move, while Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) argued the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) — whose name is on the sanctions law — would be appalled.

Trump and his administration are defending the pause, arguing that keeping the economic pressure off the table could help encourage Russia to enter into talks to bring an end to its war with Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also lambasted the U.S. over Trump’s efforts to broker an energy ceasefire. Both sides have also launched fresh strikes on the other in recent days.

The backlash goes beyond sanctions relief: Four Republican senators also joined with Democrats last week in demanding a Pentagon watchdog investigation into possible restrictions on intelligence sharing and satellite internet services for Ukraine. The reported Starshield slowdown is raising questions about whether Pentagon officials acted without Trump’s knowledge or approval.

The big question: Can lawmakers actually force the president’s hand? That’s far from certain, even as the president faces continued backlash over the separate diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin .

And with Election Day fast approaching, the growing rift is creating another political headache for Republicans as Trump hits the campaign trail.

Trump heads to Kansas on Monday as Republicans face a tricky closing stretch with his foreign policy decisions threatening to complicate their midterm pitch.

The president is looking to boost Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) in the competitive Senate race against Democrat Adam Hamilton, but his moves abroad are becoming campaign issues back home.

The Hill/Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) polling average puts Hamilton at 46.6 percent support and Marshall at 46.1 percent. The visit follows recent campaign stops in Georgia, Arizona and Montana.

In Iowa, Republican Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson recently broke with Trump over the diesel deal. Meanwhile, the war with Iran has pushed energy prices higher, putting more pressure on Republicans already struggling to sell voters on the economy.

The DDHQ’s average has Trump’s approval rating sitting at 39.9 percent, with 58.6 percent disapproving. Democrats also hold a nearly 8-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot.

The question now is whether Trump’s campaign stops can help Republicans steer the conversation back to their own priorities.

Libertarian candidates could shake up tight Senate races in Texas, Kansas and Iowa.

They’re currently polling in the low single digits, but that could be enough to make a difference. And with control of the upper chamber of Congress at stake, every vote counts.

👓 Insiders can read more here from The Hill’s Sarah Fortinsky .

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have another fight on his hands after the midterms — this time over his own job.

Senate Democrats are quietly floating his removal as part of a deal to move stalled defense legislation , The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports. And they may find some willing partners across the aisle.

Several Republicans have grown frustrated with Hegseth’s leadership, while Democrats are threatening to block defense funding and efforts to fill key Pentagon vacancies, including a waiver for acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to take on the role full time.

The sticking point: Trump remains firmly behind Hegseth, and some Republicans doubt he’d agree to push him out just to get a deal done. But with defense funding expiring Dec. 11 and impeachment efforts potentially returning after Election Day, the pressure is building.

Plus, Hegseth’s Pentagon departure list is getting long.

Dan Driscoll : Army secretary, resigned in August.

Randy George : Army chief of staff, forced into retirement in April.

John Phelan : Navy secretary, pushed out in April.

Christopher Donahue : Top Army commander in Europe, retired early in June.

🗳️ As the midterms approach, outside groups are working to secure the election results amid concerns that the Trump administration could interfere in the process to keep Republicans in power. The Hill’s Rebecca Beitsch and Mike Lillis have more for Insiders here .

🏠 In the face of backlash against the federal investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), White House border czar Tom Homan maintained in a Sunday Fox News interview on Fox News that investigators have “strong evidence” against the Minnesota lawmaker.

🐘 Let the (way-too-early?) blame game begin: The knives are already out among Republicans as Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton faces negative headlines and lagging polling numbers against Democrat James Talarico .

🏫 Early childhood educators are worried that changes proposed by the Trump administration, including some that would impact Head Start, could hurt their working conditions as teachers already deal with staffing shortages and low pay.

🏛️The Supreme Court is set to consider whether the government can ban people from distilling spirits at home — restrictions that date back to the 1860s. The justices will also take up a Maryland school admissions case involving allegations of racial discrimination, while declining to revive 9/11 plea deals .

The New York Times : Larry David Mocks the D.S.A. Some Are Not Amused.

The Atlantic : Democrats’ Sudden Revulsion Toward Big Tech

The Washington Post : State officials offered to store nuclear waste. Then residents found out.

The Wall Street Journal : The Deadly 1.5-Mile Corridor That Shows the Fatal Flaw in America’s Road Design

Politico : States face foreign threats — and a fractured federal partnership — ahead of midterms

The House and Senate are out. President Trump is in Washington and Kansas. (All times EDT)

EARLIER: Trump and first lady Melania Trump signed an executive order on women’s health.

NOON and 2 p.m.: The president participates in policy meetings.

7 p.m.: Trump delivers remarks at a campaign rally in Park City, Kan.

🍲 Celebrate : Today is National Seafood Bisque Day ! It’s finally starting to (consistently) feel like fall in the D.C. area, so the weather is perfect for a hot bowl of seafood bisque. If you’re a fan, what’s your favorite type of seafood in the pot?

🎥 “You Can See Everything,” Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim ’s documentary about the controversial Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes , is the talk of social media after its opening weekend. The film generated $15 million in its opening weekend — shattering expectations. (No spoilers, please!)

One of your 12:30 Report authors (Elliott) was at a wedding yesterday, and he would like to lodge a complaint that the venue didn’t come with a happy lamb like this one .

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