By Ahmed Abdelsalam
President Donald Trump has warned U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes that he will hold her personally responsible for any injuries or deaths at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., after she limited his administration's ability to renovate the course.
Judge Limits Renovations
Reyes issued a preliminary injunction on October 26 requiring 10 days' notice before any "irreparable modification" to the site, following the removal of around 430 trees with less than 24 hours' notice earlier in October. The order came in response to a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers.
Trump's Truth Social Posts
In a series of posts on Truth Social late Wednesday, Trump labeled the course "very dangerous, dilapidated and unsightly" and "absolutely disgusting." He shared images showing dried mud patches, excrement on a stairwell, and holes in the driving range's protective netting, claiming golf balls soar through the gaps at high speed and hit unsuspecting golfers, including a White House staffer who was struck in the chest.
Course Conditions Cited
Trump described the facility as a "National Disgrace" and said he wants to transform it into a "WORLD CLASS PUBLIC Golf Course that is AFFORDABLE for locals." The Justice Department confirmed Wednesday that the National Park Service plans to send a rendering of the renovated course to the National Capital Planning Commission on Friday, with a proposed 15-month closure starting November 15.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Reyes had asked the Justice Department on Tuesday whether Trump's previous statement about the November 15 closure should be taken literally. The lawsuit by the DC Preservation League and two golfers remains active.
Other Trump Renovation Projects
The golf course project is one of several construction initiatives ordered by Trump during his second term, including replacing the White House East Wing with a ballroom, paving over the historic Rose Garden, redecorating the Oval Office, building a new helipad, briefly installing a UFC fighting cage on the South Lawn, and draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for repainting.
Political Context
Trump's criticism of the golf course comes less than a week before the midterm elections, which could shift congressional power. Former President Barack Obama has mocked Trump's refurbishment projects, saying he "seems very focused on home renovations" and comparing the White House to "Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."
