A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's plan to redevelop the historic East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., ordering a two-week delay on any work at the site.
US District Judge Ana Reyes issued the temporary restraining order just before the golf course, located near the White House along the Potomac River, was scheduled to close for a 15-month renovation project. Trump had announced work would commence on Sunday, despite a legal challenge initiated in February by the DC Preservation League and two local golfers.
The plaintiffs argue that Trump's redevelopment plan would alter the character of the publicly accessible golf course and make it unaffordable. They sought the stop-work order, asserting that closing the course and beginning construction would "irreparably injure plaintiffs and the public interest."
Judge Reyes noted that Trump's public statements on social media last month, announcing the closure date and linking it to the renovation, were significant factors in her decision. Trump had stated on October 26 that the course would close as scheduled on November 15 for "Competitive (with other such projects!), Safety, Modernization, and Aesthetic reasons," aiming to create a "World Championship Public Facility."
Reyes' order "ENJOINS the government from closing East Potomac Park and the East Potomac Golf Course during the daily hours in which they were open as of November 14, 2026." She clarified that the order does not compel the government to undertake active management but does prevent closure during operational hours. The order remains in effect until November 28, 2026, or further court order.
The Justice Department stated that the ruling acknowledges the National Park Service's ability to limit access for public safety. "Nothing in the Court’s order precludes planning for the development of a world class golf course to continue," the department said, adding, "The Department of Justice will always vociferously defend the Trump Administration’s agenda in court."
Catherine Carroll, a senior legal adviser at Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, praised the ruling as an intervention to prevent harm from what she called a "vanity project."
The redevelopment is one of several projects in the capital that Trump has championed. Reyes had signaled during a court hearing that she was likely to issue a stoppage, with the primary question being its scope. The Justice Department argued that the entire East Potomac Park, which includes multiple golf courses and recreational areas, was being closed due to safety concerns, and noted that the lease with the current operator was ending.
Reyes expressed doubt that safety was the primary driver for the closure, suggesting the lease termination served as a pretext. Trump had publicly criticized the judge's hesitation, calling the course "very dangerous" and vowing to fix it quickly and inexpensively.
The restraining order follows other legal challenges to Trump's projects, including a recent 14-day delay imposed on work for a planned memorial arch. Reyes, initially hesitant to grant work stoppages, became more inclined after an incident involving tree cutting at the park over a holiday weekend with little notice. This led her to question whether officials had misled the court. The Justice Department had sought Reyes' recusal, citing her "egregious behavior," but she has not stepped down from the case.