Battle Over Historic Washington Golf Course: Preservationists vs Trump's Vision

A legal showdown has erupted over a historic public golf course in Washington, D.C., as a non-profit organization and two residents file a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration. The plaintiffs seek to halt the administration's attempted overhaul, which they claim violates a century-old congressional act meant to preserve the park for public recreation.

Since his inauguration in January 2025, Trump has been targeting U.S. cultural and historical establishments, including museums, monuments, and national parks, aiming to redefine them. Recently, the administration terminated a lease with the National Links Trust that managed three public golf courses, citing unmet investment and rent obligations. The Trust disputes these accusations.

The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia also argues that the planned reconstruction would breach environmental laws and degrade the park listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The U.S. Interior Department, part of the Trump administration's defendants, refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation but assured the public of future safe and enjoyable access to the courses.