Trump Presses Ahead With Nov. 15 East Potomac Golf Overhaul Amid Judge Recusal Fight
President Trump announced on Sunday, October 18, 2026, that East Potomac Golf Links in Washington will close on November 15 for about 15 months for a major renovation.[1]
Trump posted on Truth Social calling the course "old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect." NPR He said the course would close for about 15 months beginning November 15 and released a visual plan he described as "designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments." NPR
U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes recently ordered the administration to stop cutting down trees at East Potomac Park.[1] On Friday, October 16, 2026, government defendants filed a motion asking Reyes to be disqualified, accusing her of bias and calling her behavior "egregious." NPR
The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service argue in court filings that preservation plaintiffs have not shown any actual harm.[1] Plaintiffs' counsel Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward said the litigation aims to protect East Potomac Park for the communities it serves and to defend it from "unlawful and harmful intrusion." NPR The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026.[1] The White House has also said construction would start next month.[2]
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Sunday, October 18, 2026, President Trump announced plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links in a Truth Social post, calling the course "old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect" (President Trump).
- Trump said the course will close for approximately 15 months beginning November 15, 2026, and released a visual plan he described as "designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments" (visual plan).
- In a recent hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the administration to stop cutting down trees at East Potomac Park (U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes).
- On Friday, October 16, 2026, government defendants filed a motion to disqualify Judge Reyes from the case, accusing her of bias and describing her behavior as "egregious" (motion to disqualify Judge Reyes).
- The Department of the Interior and National Park Service argue in court filings that the preservation plaintiffs have not shown any actual harm and that preferences for aesthetics and recreation do not create a legally protected interest (Department of the Interior and National Park Service).
- Plaintiffs’ counsel Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward issued a statement saying the litigation aims to protect East Potomac Park for the communities it serves and to defend it from "unlawful and harmful intrusion" (Skye Perryman).
- The next hearing in the East Potomac Golf Links case is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026 (next hearing).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Sunday, October 18, 2026, President Trump again announced plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links, calling it "old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect" in a Truth Social post.
- Trump said the course will close for approximately 15 months starting November 15, 2026, and released a visual plan he described as "designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments."
- In a recent hearing before U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, the judge ordered the administration to stop cutting down trees at East Potomac Park.
- On Friday, October 16, 2026, government defendants filed a motion to disqualify Judge Reyes from the case, accusing her of bias and calling her behavior "egregious."
- The Department of the Interior and National Park Service argue in court filings that the preservation plaintiffs have not shown any actual harm and that their preferred aesthetics and recreation do not create a legally protected interest.
- Plaintiffs’ counsel Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward issued a new statement saying the litigation aims to protect East Potomac Park for the communities it serves and to defend it from "unlawful and harmful intrusion."
- The next hearing in the East Potomac Golf Links case is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026.