Fastrack · Administration Says Trump Ordered East Potomac Golf Course to Close

The Justice Department told a federal court Wednesday that East Potomac Park's golf course will close Nov. 15. The filing says the closure follows President Donald Trump's directive.

Oct. 30: Park Service submits Tom Fazio's course design for federal review.
Dec. 3: National Capital Planning Commission takes up the plan.
National Links Trust will stop running East Potomac under a new lease.
500+ trees were cut over one weekend before a judge halted removals.

Why it matters: On Oct. 19, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward told the court there was no plan to close the course. Wednesday's filing says Trump twice ordered it closed by Nov. 15.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes cited that gap in her Oct. 26 injunction.
Plaintiffs say the work causes irreversible damage to a historic public course.

The story so far

4 steps · since Oct 26

Oct 26Judge Extends Block on Trump's D.C. Golf Course Renovation40 sources
Oct 279:45 AMJustice Department Appeals Judge's Ban on Tree-Cutting at Golf Course3 sources
Oct 273:57 PMJudge Orders Trump Lawyers to Clarify Golf Course Plans4 sources
Oct 28Administration Says Trump Ordered East Potomac Golf Course to CloseYou are hereLatest

How 7 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 7 sources

7 sources · 8 articles · 57% Left coverage

Where they split: Coverage divides on whether the closure is a needed repair of a run-down course or a presidential project pushed ahead of a pending lawsuit.

Center coverage, 2 sources: The center focuses on the legal record: the administration's account to the court changed after Trump twice ordered the closure.

NOTUS9hTrump Ordered East Potomac Park to Close Twice, Administration Says - The Washington Sun WKBN Youngstown2hJustice Department announces Trump plans for golf course are in the works, course will close Nov. 15

Left coverage, 4 sources: The left sees the filing as the Justice Department confirming plans its officials earlier denied, part of a broader push to remake Washington's landmarks despite pending lawsuits.

Raw Story2hTrump DOJ whines about ‘difficult’ court order while moving to close DC park for golf The Independent4hJustice Department announces Trump plans for golf course are in the works, course will close Nov. 15 CBS News10hDOJ says government developing plan to close historic D.C. golf course after Trump orders The Boston Globe3hJustice Department announces Trump plans for golf course are in the works, course will close Nov. 15

Right1 source

The Washington Times4hJustice Department announces Trump plans for golf course are in the works, course will close Nov. 15

What’s next: Reyes ordered Woodward and an Interior Department lawyer to appear Friday.

The Justice Department has appealed the injunction to the D.C. Circuit.
The government says it will give 10 business days' notice before closing the park.
Will the plaintiffs ask Reyes to block the closure itself?
How will Reyes respond to the shift in the government's account?
Will the renovated course remain affordable for public golfers?