Contributed by: DC Preservation League
Organization: DC Preservation League
Dated Posted: August 8, 2026
Website: Visit External Site

The Trump Administration has officially announced a major redesign proposal by Fazio Design to transform the century-old municipal golf property into an upscale, championship-level facility spanning 7,660 yards, with the capability to host major PGA tournaments. This initiative follows a newly established long-term lease agreement with the National Links Trust (NLT), ensuring that the courses remain open and affordable for local residents.

However, a federal lawsuit filed by local golfers and the DC Preservation League is still pending. The lawsuit claims that the administration failed to conduct mandatory environmental and historic resource reviews as required by the Administrative Procedure Act.

Active litigation is ongoing in federal court. Since our last update, President Trump, Secretary Burgum, and the golf course architect were photographed on a site visit to East Potomac Golf Links with site plans in hand.

At the July 2nd hearing, US District Court Judge Ana C. Reyes grilled the Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney on the status of the planning. Having very few answers, Judge Reyes ordered the DOJ to respond to the following questions by July 17th:

1. Has the Secretary of the Interior or any other high-ranking official made any statements or given any directives to anyone at the Agency — oral or written — concerning the President's statement that they will begin "building one of the Greatest Golf Courses in the world" by September 1, 2026? Donald J. Trump, Truth Social (June 28, 2026, 2:42 PM), https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116829203090822692;

2. On what date did Clark Construction conduct testing on the excavated soil, and when did NPS receive the results?

3. Which individuals from the Agency accompanied President Trump during the site visit?;

4. Who created the conceptual renderings reviewed at that visit, and who currently possesses or maintains those renderings?

In addition to answering the above questions, the judge ordered the parties to meet and confer regarding proposed language for an interim preservation protocol governing activities at the site pending court action.