Trump orders redo of DC public golf course, defying judge

October 19, 2026

President Donald Trump has directed the immediate overhaul of the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C., despite a federal judge’s order to halt construction. The project, slated to last 15 months, aims to transform the historic public course—located near the White House—into a world-class facility capable of hosting major tournaments like the U.S.

Open and Ryder Cup. Trump defended the redevelopment on social media, dismissing U.S.

District Court Judge Ana Reyes’ temporary injunction and calling her a “crazed lunatic,” though Reyes rejected his request to recuse herself from the case. The renovation plan, designed by a prominent golf architect with ties to Trump’s private resorts, would eliminate a public playground and cycling trail currently on the course, sparking opposition from advocacy groups like Democracy Forward, which argue the course is a cherished community resource.

Ironically, details of the project were first leaked by former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia, who posted a design rendering on her farewell message before her abrupt firing. No official cost estimate for the redevelopment has been released, though Trump has emphasized its public accessibility while positioning it as a premier destination for elite golf events.