Judge Issues Blow To President Trump's Washington, D.C. Golf Plan

A federal judge issued a blow to President Trump's Washington, D.C. golf plans on Monday, May 4.

The President of the United States and his administration are attempting to take over three prominent, public golf courses in Washington, D.C. President Trump, 79, wants to modernize the courses, turn them into championship-caliber tracks and, probably, increase the costs to play.

But on Monday, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes responded to a request from the DC Preservation League, which wants to block President Trump's administration from taking over the East Potomac Golf Links.

The judge sent a warning to President Trump's lawyers, saying that they need to get approval for any bulldozing or renovating.

"We can't have bulldozers taking down trees … and no one has come to me first," Reyes said.

The DC Preservation League is "worried" that the White House will move quickly in demolishing part of the course.

"No closure notice has been issued ... but it's still under consideration at this point," the lawyers said.

President Trump's golf plans are moving forward

On Monday, NOTUS reported that President Trump's administration is planning to begin renovations at East Potomac Golf Course.

"This news was a complete surprise to us. We have also not received any offer of a lease at Rock Creek Park Golf. For the sake of our community and employees, we hope to have clarity as soon as possible," a spokesperson for the National Links Trust said. "We remain committed to our mission, our community, and working to protect the public golf courses in Washington, DC for the benefit of the entire community."

Meanwhile, President Trump has made renovating and rebuilding several Washington, D.C. areas as part of his second term platform.

"President Donald J. Trump is fulfilling his commitment to make D.C. Safe and Beautiful as shown by record low crime rates and renovations to fountains across the capital," an Interior Department spokesperson said in a statement.

Many in the D.C. golf world, though, are bothered by it.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 8:31 AM.