Golfers Sue Over Trump's Overhaul of 100-Year-Old Public Golf Course

Lawsuit alleges administration violated environmental laws and polluted historic park

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Two golfers in Washington, D.C. have filed a lawsuit against the federal government to try to prevent the Trump administration from overhauling the more than 100-year-old East Potomac public golf course. The lawsuit accuses the administration of violating environmental laws and polluting a park that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's efforts to reshape public spaces in the nation's capital and concerns from local residents and preservationists about protecting historic and community-oriented public assets like the East Potomac Golf Course.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration's reconstruction of East Potomac Park, which includes the East Potomac Golf Course, would violate the congressional act that created the park in 1897. The course has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in part for its efforts to racially integrate in the 1940s. The lawsuit also claims the administration violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to consider the harmful environmental impacts of the project, including the dumping of debris from the demolition of the East Wing of the White House onto the golf course.

  • In October, the National Parks Service began dumping debris from the demolition of the East Wing of the White House onto the golf course.
  • In December, the Trump administration ended a lease agreement the nonprofit National Links Trust held for East Potomac and two other golf courses in Washington.

The players

Department of the Interior

The federal agency being sued by the golfers over the overhaul of the East Potomac Golf Course.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who plans to renovate the East Potomac Golf Course and a military golf course just outside of Washington.

Dave Roberts

A Washington resident and plaintiff in the lawsuit against the federal government over the overhaul of the East Potomac Golf Course.

National Links Trust

The nonprofit that previously held the lease for the East Potomac Golf Course and two other golf courses in Washington, but had their lease terminated by the Trump administration in December.

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What they’re saying

“East Potomac Golf Links is a testament to what's possible with public land and why public spaces matter. It deserves better than becoming a dumping ground for waste and yet another private playground for the privileged and powerful.”

— Dave Roberts, Washington resident and plaintiff

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant an injunction to halt the overhaul of the East Potomac Golf Course while the lawsuit proceeds.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's efforts to reshape public spaces in Washington, D.C. and concerns from local residents and preservationists about protecting historic and community-oriented public assets like the East Potomac Golf Course.