Judge Reyes Weighs Sunday Closure of East Potomac Park as Trump Pushes 15-Month Golf Overhaul
Updated
Updated · NPR · Nov 15
Judge Reyes Weighs Sunday Closure of East Potomac Park as Trump Pushes 15-Month Golf Overhaul
3 articles · Updated · NPR · Nov 15
Summary
Saturday is when U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said she could rule on whether East Potomac Park — and possibly its golf course — must stay open past the planned Sunday shutdown.
Government lawyers said the closure is needed because the golf operator's lease expires Nov. 15 and the park's seawall needs repairs, but Reyes noted there is still no seawall repair plan or golf redevelopment contract.
Safety claims drew sharp scrutiny after administration lawyers cited risks near the Potomac River; Reyes questioned why those concerns surfaced only now and whether they justify closing nearly the entire park.
The dispute reaches beyond golf: critics say Trump's redesign would remove the perimeter loop used daily by runners and cyclists and threaten events including the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.
The hearing also deepened Reyes' clash with the administration, which she has accused of misleading the court; she is separately pursuing a misconduct probe tied to earlier tree-cutting and closure statements.