Summary
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Park and its golf course in Washington, D.C. Judge Ana C. Reyes said the administration’s stated reasons for the closure were likely a pretext for advancing President Donald Trump’s redevelopment plan.Key Facts
- The temporary restraining order bars the Interior Department and National Park Service from closing the park to the public.
- The planned closure was set to begin November 15.
- Trump’s proposed Washington National Plan would replace the existing public golf course with a championship-style course designed by Tom Fazio.
- The proposed closure would also have restricted access to roads, trails, fishing areas, picnic spaces, and playgrounds.
- The administration cited deteriorating seawall infrastructure and the lack of a golf course operator as reasons for closing the property.
- Reyes noted that the National Park Service had identified seawall safety concerns in 2019 without then deciding to close the entire park.
- More than 30,000 runners used the park’s perimeter during the Marine Corps Marathon shortly before the closure announcement.
