Judge orders Trump administration to halt work at DC golf course until later this month

A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to stop work on East Potomac Park , site of East Potomac Golf Links and a property the president has been eyeing for redevelopment.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes’ order came after hundreds of trees were cut down at the property over the weekend. The action marks an apparent violation of a previous order requiring the Department of Interior and National Parks Service to notify the court and preservationist groups suing to stop the project before carrying out any further work.

Reyes ordered no more tree cutting or landscaping can be conducted before Oct. 28, as she considered the lawsuit which accuses the Trump administration of attempting to revamp public lands for the president’s personal wishes.

Trump has long eyed the property, which for years has been home to a number of public golf courses, walking trails and gathering spaces for residents and tourists alike.

The National Links Trust, the non-profit that has overseen the courses since the COVID-19 pandemic, announced a deal with the Trump administration earlier this year for the Interior Department to overhaul the property with a major renovation.

The president has enlisted the help of leading golf course architect Tom Fazio’s firm with the project. He said the move would lead to East Potomac being transformed into an 18-hole championship style facility capable of hosting professional tournaments and future Ryder Cups.

East Potomac is known around the country as a model for affordable public golf, catering in many cases to junior and beginner golfers.

The next hearing in the lawsuit seeking to stop the project is slated for Monday.