U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the Trump administration to disclose Interior Department staff names involved in plans to overhaul East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. Rejecting DOJ privacy arguments citing threats, Reyes forced the release while an appointed special master investigates whether officials lied about park closure schedules. The DOJ called the disclosure order unconstitutional, as plans proceed to close the 400-acre park on November 15, 2026.
DOJ privacy request and judicial disclosure orders
- ▪The Department of Justice requested to seal the names of Department of Interior employees who worked on the East Potomac Golf Links plan sent to the National Capital Planning Commission, citing privacy concerns, national media attention, and death threats
- ▪Judge Ana C. Reyes rejected DOJ privacy arguments regarding public access to government employee names, ruling there is little possibility of prejudice from disclosing staff acting within their official employment
- ▪U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the Trump administration to publicly disclose by 5 p.m. on November 12, 2026 the names of government officials involved in overhaul plans for East Potomac Golf Links
Tree removal timing and special master appointment
- ▪During an October 30, 2026 hearing, Judge Ana C. Reyes found that Justice Department officials intentionally timed tree removal at East Potomac Park to evade judicial review and potentially misinformed the court
- ▪Judge Ana C. Reyes appointed a former federal prosecutor as special master to investigate whether government officials lied or violated ethics rules regarding East Potomac Park closure and overhaul plans
Park closure plans and preliminary injunction
- ▪The Trump administration insisted for weeks that there were no imminent plans to close East Potomac Park despite Donald Trump publishing Truth Social posts outlining his vision for the East Potomac Golf Links overhaul
- ▪The Department of Justice admitted in October 2026 court filings that the administration plans to close East Potomac Park on November 15, 2026, consistent with Donald Trump's directive
- ▪On October 26, 2026, Judge Ana C. Reyes issued a preliminary injunction requiring 10 days' notice before any irreparable modification at East Potomac Golf Links while a suit by DC Preservation League and two golfers continues
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