"A federal judge on Monday pressed the Trump administration about President Trump’s plan to shut down and renovate East Potomac Park next month despite a previous court order barring any future work at the property while a lawsuit to stop it plays out.
Trump in a Truth Social post just minutes before Monday’s hearing in Washington court began argued that his administration does not need approval from the court to move ahead with the controversial redevelopment, which includes a total revamp of East Potomac Golf Links and the erasure of miles of walking and biking trails on the island.
“I don’t know what to do when I keep getting different stories from the government,” U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said during the hearing.
Jessica Bowron, the acting director of the National Park Service (NPS), testified earlier Monday that she was not aware of plans to close the course in mid-November as the president indicated would happen."
Sophie Brams and Dominick Mastrangelo report for The Hill October 19, 2026.
