‘Our soldiers and veterans deserve best': Trump rebukes Maryland Gov over golf project delay

Trump slams Governor Moore for stalling the Nicklaus-led golf project at Joint Base Andrews
President Trump is fighting to resume the stalled golf course restoration at Joint Base Andrews, aiming to provide top-tier, accessible recreational amenities for our 'wounded warriors' (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Trump is fighting to resume the stalled golf course restoration at Joint Base Andrews, aiming to provide top-tier, accessible recreational amenities for our 'wounded warriors' (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, June 5, rebuked Maryland Governor Wes Moore for stalling a major renovation project at Joint Base Andrews, asserting that by halting the initiative, "the Governor is attacking the United States Air Force, and our Military, not a smart thing to do."

Trump argued that these improvements are essential for service members and that the project should proceed immediately without further delays.



Trump slams governor’s delay on military golf upgrades

The plan for Joint Base Andrews was to renovate two aging, run-down golf courses into world-class facilities designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The project also included adding nine new holes specifically designed for "Wounded Warriors" to ensure they have high-quality recreation options.

However, Trump claimed that Governor Moore has stopped this work, leaving the base with facilities that are in poor condition.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD - DECEMBER 17: Vehicle traffic goes in and out of the U.S. Air Force Joint Base Andrews in Prince Georges County December 17, 2014 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. U.S. Agency for International Development contractor Alan Gross, who has been in prison in Cuba for the last five years on espionage charges, has been released and is due to arrive at the base, possibly heralding a new era in U.S.-Cuba relations. American officials have said they will restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than a half-century. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Vehicle traffic goes in and out of the U.S. Air Force Joint Base Andrews in Prince George's County, December 17, 2014, in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

"The Governor of the Great State of Maryland, Wes Moore, has put a halt to all work being done at Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base, concerning the renovation and restoration of their two old and dilapidated Golf Courses, into two, World Class, Jack Nicklaus Designed Courses, plus nine additional holes, also designed by Jack, specially adapted for our Wounded Warriors," Trump stated.

He believes the current courses are "terrible" and that the planned changes would make them a significant asset for the military community.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is interviewed by David Rubenstein interviews alongside Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt at the Economic Club on February 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. As Chair and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association, Stitt and Moore discussed the NGA’s bipartisan “Reigniting the American Dream” initiative. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is interviewed by David Rubenstein alongside Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt at the Economic Club on February 18, 2026, in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Trump argues military should not wait for essential recreation

Furthermore, Trump called for an end to the legal review process that has slowed down the construction.

He believes that military personnel and veterans should not have to face long wait times or travel elsewhere just to play a round of golf.

"Why should the Air Force and other Military personnel be forced to wait through a long Legal Review process and, perhaps, even more so, why should Wounded Warriors be forced to travel long distances to play Golf somewhere else or, worse yet, not play Golf at all," Trump said.

He concluded his message by stating, "Our Soldiers and Veterans deserve THE BEST — NO WAITING, NO GAMES!"

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD - MAY 6: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (2R) looks on as he plays golf with U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) (R), U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) (L) and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) May 6, 2013 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Obama played with U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), and U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and planned to to discuss
Former President Barack Obama looks on as he plays golf with Sen Bob Corker, Sen Saxby Chambliss, and  Sen Mark Udall, May 6, 2013, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)

Trump announced the project in November 2025

First announced by Trump in November 2025 following an aerial tour of the facility, the initiative aims to modernize the site, which has served presidents since Gerald Ford’s time in 1974. 

Trump described the base as "a great place that’s been destroyed over the years through lack of maintenance" and argued that partnering with a legend like Jack Nicklaus is the right step.

"We’re doing some fix-up of the base, which it needs. We’re gonna try to reinstitute the golf courses. I’m meeting with the greatest Jack Nicklaus," Trump told reporters during the project’s initial rollout. 

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