The East Potomac Golf Course is scheduled to close on November 15 as part of planned renovation efforts, according to a court notice filed by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward signed the notice, which was submitted Wednesday night. The filing stated that the department has reached a new lease agreement with East Potomac Golf Links, under which the organization will relinquish management of the property prior to the mid-November closure date.
The upcoming closure has intensified a legal battle between the administration and the federal judiciary. On October 19, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the administration to provide advance notice of any planned changes to the park. The directive followed assurances from Justice Department lawyers during an earlier hearing in which Woodward had denied the existence of any plans to close the course. Following the October 19 order, Judge Reyes demanded a hearing for either Friday or Monday to address the administration’s park plans.
President Donald Trump criticized the judicial order on Truth Social, arguing that the judge lacks the constitutional authority to demand advance notice. In his social media posts, Trump defended the decision to shut down the facility and pointed to safety concerns, claiming the current condition of the grounds represents a national disgrace. He asserted that a White House staffer was struck violently in the chest by a stray golf ball and described the driving range as a severe threat to public safety.
Trump stated that the renovation project aims to transform the property into an affordable, world-class public golf course comparable to Torrey Pines and Bethpage Black. He also placed responsibility on Judge Reyes for any potential injuries or fatalities occurring at the facility prior to its closure. More than 400 trees in the park have already been removed as part of the initial phases of the project.
Despite the friction over the timeline and notification requirements, Wednesday’s court filing indicated that the administration intends to adhere to procedural requirements moving forward. The document stated that defendants will follow all relevant procedural guidelines when finalizing and implementing the course designer’s renovation plan.
