‘Political decision’: Trump slams Biden-appointed judge over golf course renovation delay
WASHINGTON, DC: A day after a federal judge temporarily blocked the Interior Department from closing a public golf course in Washington, DC, for a planned renovation, President Donald Trump lashed out at the Biden-appointed judge, describing the ruling as a highly political decision.
In a late Saturday, November 14 ruling, US District Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the administration to keep East Potomac Golf Links accessible to the public for another two weeks, finding that the administration's planned closure likely violated environmental and administrative laws.
Trump calls judge's ruling on Golf Links a destructive and political decision
President Donald Trump, through a Truth Social post on Sunday, November 15, registered his anger over a federal court ruling that blocked the administration from closing the golf course on Sunday for the planned overhaul.
Trump said that a Biden-appointed judge had once again delayed the renovation of one of the worst and most dangerous golf courses anywhere in the US, adding that it was in a terrible state of disrepair and that anyone could see it.
Trump further questioned the judge's decision, asking why she would stop the renovation when the site is being called "Trash Island."
Biden appointed Judge Reyes has delayed, for yet another two weeks, the fix up and reconstruction, by the Department of the Interior, of one of the worst and most dangerous golf courses anywhere in the U.S. “Trash Island,” as it is affectionately known, needs work, and needs it now! It is in a terrible state of disrepair, as anybody can see by just looking at the pictures that are now circulating all over the Country, and in the Court. They don’t call it Trash Island for no reason! Why would a judge want to delay taking a terrible and very unsafe golf course, one that is mocked all over D.C.(and far beyond!), instead of quickly turning it into a great and admired one? “INTERIOR” has the absolute right to do so, and will immediately appeal, on an expedited basis, this highly destructive and political decision of the judge. Time is of the essence, or golf seasons, jobs, prestige, and much money, will be lost! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT ( TS: Nov 15 2026, 9:30 AM ET )
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) November 15, 2026
“Why would a judge want to delay taking a terrible and very unsafe golf course, one that is mocked all over DC (and far beyond!), instead of quickly turning it into a great and admired one,” Trump wrote in the post.
Further, describing the judge’s decision as destructive and political, Trump said the Interior Department had had the absolute right to carry out the reconstruction work and would appeal the ruling.
“Interior has the absolute right to do so, and will immediately appeal, on an expedited basis, this highly destructive and political decision of the judge. Time is of the essence, or golf seasons, jobs, prestige, and much money will be lost,” Trump further added.
What did US District Judge say in the latest ruling?
Temporarily stopping the closure of the East Potomac Golf Links for reconstruction, one of several construction projects the president has sought as part of his effort to remake Washington to his tastes and leave a legacy, Judge Ana C. Reyes said that the administration's argument for closing the park on safety grounds was "pretextual."
“The Government proposes to close a historic park, daily enjoyed by Washingtonians of all stripes, indefinitely,” Reyes wrote, finding that the closure would “irreparably harm” the plaintiffs in the case, including individual golfers and preservationists.
It’s the latest development in a month-long legal battle between Reyes and the Trump administration over the removal of trees at the golf links and the planned closure of the park.
