A federal judge pumped the brakes on the Trump administration’s plans to close East Potomac Golf Links and begin deferred maintenance on Monday morning.
Over the weekend, NOTUS reported that the administration planned to close the course on Sunday after the final tee time to start deferred maintenance ahead of a complete renovation. This led the DC Preservation League and its partners in the suit — the watchdog group Democracy Forward — to request an emergency stay to prevent the closure.
While Judge Ana Reyes did not grant the emergency relief the group sought, she directed the administration to get court approval before cutting down more than 10 trees and to provide proper notice if it plans to close the course.
“Let’s just say, given some issues around the District recently, I would have a particular concern that we not act first and ask forgiveness later,” the judge said. “Because that’s not going to be acceptable and I want you to make sure that that’s fully communicated to the agency. If anything like that happens, there are going to be serious consequences.”
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In a filing, the administration confirmed NOTUS’ reporting, saying it had plans to “begin initial deferred maintenance and repair activities on May 4.”
When asked by the judge if there were plans to close the course, attorneys for the administration did not directly answer the question, instead saying, “No closure notice has been issued ... but it’s still under consideration at this point.”
An opposing attorney interjected, saying, “I didn’t hear a ‘No,’ your honor!”
The course’s future remains uncertain following the hearing, as the government did not concede its plans to close the course, and in its filing, said: “A decision to close the course is within my authority under and, if exercised, will be appropriately documented.”
The judge expressed skepticism that the government’s plans for the course takeover were still in the early stages and that there were no finalized plans to shut down the course.
“I think it’s further along than has been identified in the pleadings to date,” Reyes said, regarding the administration’s plans to take over East Potomac.
As of Monday morning, the course was open for play.
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