Trump announces 15‑month closure of East Potomac Golf Course despite judge’s halt

The president posted on Truth Social that the historic D.C. course will close for renovations, while a judge has ordered a halt to tree removal until Oct. 26.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 18 Oct 2026 22:38:25 GMT

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C. will close for 15 months of renovations starting Nov. 15, despite a federal judge’s order halting tree removal at the site.

What happened

Trump posted on Truth Social that the historic public course will be shut down on Nov. 15 and that the redevelopment will take about 15 months. The post included an artist’s rendering of the proposed redesign and a statement that the finished facility will be able to host major tournaments such as the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup.

What the reports add

Independent and the Los Angeles Times both note that a judge ordered a halt to the renovation plans until at least Oct. 26 after criticizing the government for large‑scale tree removal over a holiday weekend. NBC News identifies the judge as U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who barred further tree cutting through Oct. 26 and described the earlier removal as “inexcusable.” The Guardian adds that the judge required the government to notify her by 8 p.m. ET on Sunday whether its position had changed after a filing that said the administration had only given “preliminary thought” to the rebuild.

What was said

Trump wrote, “When completed, it will be open to the Public while, at the same time, designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup,” as reported by the Independent, the Los Angeles Times, Fortune, NBC News and the Guardian.

Democracy Forward, the plaintiffs’ organization challenging the project, said the course is a “national park and recreation facility that is meant for everyone to enjoy” and that their litigation is intended to protect the community jewel, according to Fortune and the Guardian.

How it came about

The renovation plan was developed by the Interior Department in partnership with golf‑course architect Tom Fazio, as NBC News reported. The plan follows a series of tree‑removal actions that began earlier in October, which Felo News covered on 2026‑10‑10 in an article about the National Park Service removing more than 500 trees at East Potomac Golf Links. That earlier coverage provides context for the current legal dispute and the judge’s order to pause further removals.

Key facts

Trump announced the East Potomac Golf Course will close on Nov. 15 for a 15‑month renovation. (independent.co.uk)
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a halt to tree removal at the course until at least Oct. 26. (nbcnews.com)
Democracy Forward is representing plaintiffs who argue the course is a public national‑park facility. (fortune.com)

Timeline

2026-10-10 — National Park Service began removal of 500 trees at East Potomac Golf Links
2026-10-18 — Judge Ana Reyes ordered a halt to tree removal through Oct. 26
2026-10-18 — Trump announced 15‑month closure and renovation plan