A federal judge on Friday signaled she is unlikely to let the Trump administration move forward with its planned closure of East Potomac Park and its historic public golf course, with a ruling expected by Saturday. During a lengthy hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes pressed Justice Department attorneys on why the park must be shut down on Sunday, questioning the administration's claim that urgent public safety risks justify the move.
Judge Reyes, a Biden appointee, repeatedly challenged the government's narrative, noting that the closure comes just weeks after tens of thousands of runners participated in the Marine Corps Marathon around Hains Point. She asked why conditions had suddenly become so dangerous that the entire park needed to be closed, pointing out that the seawall's deterioration has been documented for more than a decade.
The hearing was the latest in a series of contentious sessions over the proposed redevelopment, which President Trump has championed. Reyes has previously accused DOJ lawyers of misrepresenting the project's scope and has threatened to appoint former U.S. Attorney Jessie Lui to investigate potential ethical violations. She reiterated that concern on Friday, saying there was 'enough smoke' to warrant a closer look.
In response, the Justice Department has demanded Reyes recuse herself, accusing her of overstepping her authority. She has refused. The administration has also appealed her earlier order barring further tree removal at the park without 24-hour notice, except for trees posing an imminent threat.
The dispute stems from the National Park Service's termination of its lease with the National Links Trust (NLT), the nonprofit that has operated the courses since 2020. Trump has posted designs for a new championship-length course on his social media platform, and the administration has already removed hundreds of trees from the park, even as bewildered golfers played nearby.
Plaintiffs, including a preservationist group and local golfers, are seeking to block the closure and the redevelopment. They argue that the administration's actions are not a coincidence, pointing to the timing of NLT's departure and the president's directive. Catherine Carroll, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said it was not a 'massive coincidence' that NLT decided to leave on the same day the president ordered the park closed.
The proposed new course, designed by architect Tom Fazio, would stretch more than 8,000 yards from the back tees, making it one of the largest in the country. Critics say such a design would limit access for amateur and casual golfers who have long enjoyed the affordable, beginner-friendly courses at East Potomac. Gustafson, the DOJ attorney, insisted the design is not final and that the Interior Department could still change its mind based on public feedback.
Major questions remain about the project's feasibility and cost. The park's seawall, in poor condition since the Obama era, has caused frequent flooding and would require hundreds of millions of dollars to repair. The government has not explained how it would fund the repair, instead citing the wall's condition as a reason to close the park. Reyes questioned why the situation had become 'emergent' now, given that the problems have been known for years. Gustafson repeatedly cited safety and the lack of an operator as justifications, which Reyes called a 'self-inflicted' issue, comparing it to someone starting a fire at home and then seeking help.
The judge's ruling, expected by the end of Saturday, will determine whether the park can close as planned. The case has drawn national attention, with implications for public access to federal lands and the limits of presidential power. As the legal battle continues, the fate of East Potomac Park hangs in the balance.
