President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, that the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., will close on Nov. 15 for a 15-month renovation. The announcement comes despite an ongoing legal challenge from a preservation group seeking to halt changes to the public facility. The president described the current site as "dilapidated" and stated the goal is to create a course capable of hosting "World Class Tournaments."
The golf course, located approximately two miles south of the White House, has been the subject of litigation since February 2026. A D.C. preservation group and two individuals filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service (NPS). The plaintiffs argued that converting the facility into a "championship-style golf course" would increase tee-time costs and restrict access to a site originally intended to be "open to all people."
In court filings, the Department of the Interior and the NPS argued that the plaintiffs failed to establish legal harm, stating that a preference for specific recreational styles does not constitute a protected interest. During the proceedings, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the administration to cease cutting down trees at the park. On Friday, Oct. 16, government defendants filed a motion to disqualify Reyes, alleging bias and calling her behavior "egregious."
The scale of the project involves a total closure of the facility for over a year to accommodate a redesign intended to meet professional tournament standards. While the specific increase in tee-time costs has not been calculated in the report, the plaintiffs contend the shift to a "world-class" model will inflate prices for the general public. This development is part of a broader series of proposed changes to the capital's landscape, which include plans for a 250-foot arch near the National Mall and the potential removal of the Kennedy Center.
The next steps in the legal proceedings are scheduled for a hearing on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. The court must decide on the government's motion to disqualify Judge Reyes and determine whether the tree-cutting injunction will remain in place as the Nov. 15 renovation start date approaches.
WHO: President Donald Trump, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, and Democracy Forward. WHAT: President Trump announced the 15-month closure and renovation of the East Potomac Golf Links starting Nov. 15, despite a pending lawsuit and a court order to stop cutting trees at the site. WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, and Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. WHERE: Washington, D.C. WHY: The president intends to upgrade the facility for world-class tournaments, while plaintiffs argue the changes will increase costs and restrict public access to a national park facility.