Housing & Development · Washington, DC
Judge Questions Trump Admin Over D.C. Golf Course Redevelopment; Closure Planned Nov. 15
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes questioned the Trump administration's claims during a Monday hearing about its plans to redevelop a 106-year-old golf course in Washington, D.C., which is temporarily blocked by her court order until at least Oct. 26. The judge had previously halted work after large-scale tree removal occurred over a holiday weekend with little notice to the court or plaintiffs, who include the D.C. Preservation League and two golfers. Trump announced plans on social media Sunday to close the course for 15 months starting Nov. 15, asserting the Department of Interior has an absolute right to redevelop it. Plaintiffs argue the redevelopment would violate the congressional act that created the park and inflict irreversible damage. Reyes also rejected the administration's motion for her recusal, finding the government failed to meet the legal standard.