Judge temporarily blocks Trump from closing Washington DC golf course for renovation

A federal judge has temporarily halted the US government's plan to close a historic golf course and park in Washington DC. US District Judge Ana Reyes, who has been handling the challenge to President Donald Trump's proposal, ruled that the president cannot close the park or its golf course. However, she stated that his administration is not obligated to actively manage either.

Trump, who is a golf enthusiast, claimed that his renovation plans would create "one of the Best and Most Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World." The 106-year-old course was slated to be renovated over 15 months and reopened to the public while still being used for high-level tournaments. In her 30-page decision, Judge Reyes criticized the government's justifications as "pretextual," and said they violated federal laws by imposing an arbitrary deadline for the course closure.

The legal dispute began in February when the DC Preservation League and others sued over the redevelopment plans for the park. The historic golf course, located 2 miles south of the White House, is one of three public courses managed by the National Park Service in the nation's capital. Reyes also opened an inquiry into the Justice Department's attorneys, questioning whether they made misrepresentations to the court and violated ethical rules. She plans to conduct the inquiry with a special master, an independent third party.