Federal judge grills Trump administration on sudden upcoming closure of East Potomac Park

A federal judge questioned the Trump administration’s plan to close East Potomac Park and East Potomac Golf Links on Sunday, and appeared likely to block the closure. The hearing matters because the park is publicly accessible, and President Donald Trump’s proposed golf course renovation would remove popular paths and public access on Hains Point.

Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, questioned Justice Department lawyers for hours on Friday and expressed deep scepticism about the closure plans. Trump has promoted a “World Class Championship Golf Course” and said the current course would close on 15 November; Reyes had previously barred the administration from removing trees from the course.