Trump Sets Nov. 15 Start for East Potomac Golf Course Overhaul Despite Federal Court Order

President Trump announced Sunday that East Potomac Golf Links, a popular public golf course in Washington, D.C., will close on November 15 for a 15-month renovation to transform it into a pro-level course, defying an ongoing federal lawsuit and a judicial order that had already barred further tree removal at the site.

The announcement came days after the National Park Service cut down roughly 430 healthy trees at the course in a matter of hours, a move that prompted District Court Judge Ana Reyes to temporarily block additional clearing and sharply criticize the administration. In a memo accompanying her order, Reyes described the clearing as done at "breakneck speed" on trees that "posed no harm," citing an unclear budget and no environmental review. The administration then moved to disqualify Reyes from the case.

The overhaul has drawn fierce local opposition over the loss of an affordable, family-accessible public golf facility. Trump said the course would reopen in approximately 15 months, with renovation work overseen by the Department of the Interior under Secretary Doug Burgum. The November 15 start date injects fresh urgency into the federal lawsuit challenging the project, with the existing court order on tree removal set to expire October 26.