Summary
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Golf Links and its surrounding park in Washington, DC, for renovations. The order remains in effect through November 28 while litigation over the redevelopment plans continues.Key Facts
- US District Judge Ana Reyes issued the temporary order on Saturday.
- The Trump administration had planned to close the 106-year-old course from November 15 for 15 months of renovations.
- Reyes said the administration's reasons for the proposed closure were pretextual and that it violated at least two federal laws.
- The judge said the government could not close the park or golf course, but did not require the administration to actively manage them.
- The DC Preservation League and others sued over the redevelopment plans in February.
- In October, the National Park Service cut down hundreds of trees before notifying Reyes, who then ordered a halt to further tree removal.
- Reyes has opened an inquiry into whether Justice Department attorneys misled the court or violated ethical rules.
