DC judge orders new golf course hearing after Trump vows to push ahead with redevelopment

A federal judge is ordering a new hearing regarding President Trump’s plans to redevelop East Potomac Park after he posted on social media this week vowing to press ahead with his plans for the property despite her ruling halting it.

After U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes granted a preliminary injunction requested by a preservationist group and group of local D.C. golfers asking her to stop the the project, Trump attacked the judge, saying “we are closing the East Potomac Golf Course Site as scheduled” on Nov. 15, and Reyes “does not have the Constitutional Right to ‘ask for or receive notices,’ which are time-consuming, unnecessary, expensive, and unconstitutional.”

The hearing will be held either Friday or Monday, according to Reyes’s order.

Trump has repeatedly ridiculed Reyes over her opposition to the plan and argued East Potomac Golf Links is currently “dangerous” to play and a revamp of the course is needed.

Reyes on Wednesday ordered a new hearing in the case, saying the president’s post flies in the face of testimony given by Department of Justice lawyers who said they were unaware of any future plans for tree removal ahead of the project’s start.

Trump has enlisted the help of renowned golf architect Tom Fazio to construct an 18-hole, championship-length course at East Potomac, which for years has been known around the D.C. area and country for its affordable fees and catering to golfers of all different skill levels.

Critics of the president’s plans say he is attempting to leave his mark on the region against the will of D.C. residents, while Reyes has berated government attorneys for what she has said is intentionally misleading her about the project.