A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Justice Department to clarify whether the executive branch intends to close a historic golf course for renovations next month. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes directed Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. to appear for a status hearing on Friday, Oct. 30, or Monday, Nov. 2. The order follows public statements by Donald Trump that conflict with previous representations made by government lawyers regarding the timeline for the East Potomac Golf Course project.
The legal dispute involves a renovation plan for the East Potomac Park site. Plaintiffs including the DC Preservation League and two golfers filed suit to block the work, alleging it will cause irreversible damage and reduce public affordability. On Monday, Oct. 26, Judge Reyes issued a temporary injunction halting work after workers cut down at least 400 trees over a holiday weekend with little notice to the plaintiffs.
In court, Judge Reyes questioned whether the Justice Department was asking the court to disregard the public statements of the president. Government lawyers had previously argued that plans were not finalized, while Trump stated on social media that restoration work would begin "IMMEDIATELY" and the course would be closed for 15 months. Associate Attorney General Woodward told the court on Oct. 19 that it was difficult to place a non-Senate-confirmed employee in a position where they might contradict the president.
The case involves how federal courts handle social media posts as evidence of executive branch intent. A person using the East Potomac Golf Course could face a closure of the facility if the government proceeds with the Nov. 15 target date mentioned in the court order. The litigation also involves other sites, including a ballroom project at the White House and a new National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park, which are also facing legal challenges.
The Justice Department must now formally state for the record whether a plan exists to close the course by Nov. 15, 2026. The current injunction requires the administration to provide 10 days’ written notice before making any further permanent modifications to the course’s features. The next step is the status hearing scheduled for Oct. 30 or Nov. 2, where the Justice Department is expected to address the discrepancies between the president's public comments and the agency's legal filings.