Judge temporarily blocks closure of Washington DC golf course
The order keeps the park open for now, while the court weighs a long-running challenge to the renovation plans.
Key points
- US District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the planned closure of East Potomac Golf Links, as reported by BBC News.
- The closure was due to start on 15 November for renovations lasting about 15 months.
- Reyes said the government had violated at least two federal laws and that its reasons were pretextual.
- The order lasts until 28 November.
- Reyes has opened a separate inquiry into conduct by justice department attorneys.
A federal judge has temporarily stopped the US government from closing a historic golf course and park in Washington DC. According to BBC News, US District Judge Ana Reyes issued the order in a 30-page decision on Saturday. The order will remain in place until 28 November.
The government had planned to shut East Potomac Golf Links from 15 November for extensive renovations. The judge ruled that the president is barred from shutting the park and the course, though she added that the administration has no duty to run either one day to day.
What the judge found
Reyes said the administration’s justifications for the closures were pretextual. She also said the government violated at least two federal laws in trying to meet what she called an arbitrary deadline. In her words, the government proposed to close a historic park used daily by Washingtonians indefinitely.
She wrote that the closure runs against the public interest in using national parkland. She also said the government had not shown any harm it would suffer if a temporary restraining order preserved the current situation while the case continues.
Background to the dispute
The case traces back to February, when a preservation group in the capital, the DC Preservation League, joined others in filing suit against the park’s redevelopment. The course sits about 2 miles (3km) south of the White House. The park’s course is one of three the federal park agency operates for public play in the capital.
The fight escalated in October. The National Park Service began cutting down hundreds of trees, and the court was not told until 15 hours before work was due to start. Following that, the judge halted any removal of trees, with the pause set to run at minimum through 26 October. She also asked for three business days’ notice before any other permanent changes.
Trump had announced in October that the course would be renovated over 15 months. He described the current course as old, broken and dilapidated. He pointed to trees he said were falling or diseased, and to a seawall he said was collapsing. He has said the new course would be open to the public and suitable for major tournaments.
Inquiry into justice department attorneys
Reyes has also opened a separate inquiry into whether justice department attorneys made misrepresentations to the court or broke ethical rules. The inquiry will look at whether the late notice about the renovation plans was made in bad faith. It will also examine whether attorneys corrected earlier false statements or withheld information. Reyes stated that an outside appointee, called a special master and described as independent, will help run the probe.
The BBC said it had contacted the White House for comment. The sources do not include a response from the administration to the ruling.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the golf course closure blocked?
US District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the closure. She said the governmentu0026#039;s justifications were pretextual and that it had violated at least two federal laws.
How long will the order last?
According to BBC News, the order will last until 28 November.
What is the renovation plan for East Potomac Golf Links?
Trump announced the course would be renovated over 15 months. He has said the new course would be open to the public and able to host world class tournaments.
Sources
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