Trump administration sued after taking on DC public golf programs | EUROtoday

A pair of golf lovers have sued the Trump administration over a plan to overtake a public golf course in Washington D.C. to make manner for a brand new “world-class” inexperienced, championed by the president.

Dave Roberts and Alex Dickson, who’re bringing the lawsuit, say the Interior Department has neglected vital well being opinions when transferring ahead with the venture that may see East Potomac Golf Links remade, The Washington Post experiences.

Trump, who’s an avid golfer, has begun strikes to take management of Potomac Golf Links and different public programs, arguing that they’re in want of great refurbishment.

“We’re going to make it a beautiful world-class U.S. Open-caliber course,” the president advised reporters in January. “Ideally, we’re going to have major tournaments there and everything else. It’s going to bring a lot of business into Washington.”

Last yr, the Interior Department terminated the lease of the National Links Trust which managed the Potomac Golf Links website and two different programs, clearing the best way for the areas to be taken below federal management.

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Roberts and Dickson’s swimsuit echoes considerations that ought to the programs fall below the management of Trump and his allies, the course will turn out to be a lot much less accessible. Though particular plans haven’t but been revealed Trump has instructed he would completely rebuild the course, which has views of the Washington Monument.

“East Potomac Golf Links is a testament to what’s possible with public land and why public spaces matter,” Roberts stated in a press release shared with The Post. “It deserves better than becoming a dumping ground for waste and yet another private playground for the privileged and power.”

The lawsuit goals to halt any reassignment of the course’s lease earlier than a full evaluate, citing potential violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.

It additionally alleges a violation of a congressional act that referred to as for the park on which the course is constructed to be “forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

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The DC Preservation League, a nonprofit that advocates for safeguarding historic websites, has additionally hooked up itself to the swimsuit, The Post experiences.

The Independent has contacted the Interior Department for remark concerning the lawsuit introduced by the golfers.

Trump already owns golf golf equipment across the nation and the world, with programs in Florida, New Jersey and Scotland and has made intensive use of them since returning to workplace in January final yr.

The web site didtrumpgolftoday.com was launched with a view to observe the variety of days the president has spent on the course, noting that by July 2025, Trump had spent round a 3rd of his time again in workplace enjoying golf.

As of Saturday, in keeping with the location Trump has golfed 93 days out of 392 days since returning to workplace, calculated to be round 24 p.c of his time. It has additionally price the taxpayer an estimated $130,200,000.

While the president has been stated to play fairly effectively, there have lengthy been allegations that he receives some help, with some even going as far as outright accusing him of dishonest.