Full Breakdown
Senators Demand Details on Trump Administration’s East Potomac Golf Course Redevelopment
7/10/2026, 10:27:35 PM
Senate Letter Highlights Concerns
On July 8, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia sent a follow-up letter to the Interior Department and the National Park Service. The senators reiterated “serious concerns” about the administration’s plan to terminate the lease held by National Links Trust, the nonprofit that operates Washington’s three public golf courses, and to convert East Potomac Golf Links into a professional-level venue. They noted that, despite Secretary Doug Burgum’s May announcement of a Fazio Design renovation, the administration has provided no public disclosure of the project’s scope, cost, funding source, or procurement basis.
Background of the Redevelopment
President Donald Trump announced on June 28, during an unannounced visit with Burgum and Fazio representatives, that work on the East Potomac Golf Links would begin on Sept. 1. Photographs from the visit showed a design that could occupy the entire park peninsula, potentially eliminating the Hains Point bicycle trail, the miniature-golf area, and historic cherry trees. The site, owned by the National Park Service, also includes a popular public park and waterfront recreation space.
Official Statements & Responses
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told a Senate hearing in April that he had not seen the January 26 letter from the senators but pledged a response. To date, the department has not replied, prompting the July 20 deadline set by the senators for a detailed answer.
Criticism & Opposition
Lawmakers and preservation groups argue that the accelerated timeline may conflict with environmental, historic-preservation, procurement, and public-engagement statutes. They stress that the lack of information hampers assessment of potential closures, disruptions to current users, and the overall impact on public access.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In the interim, the Administration has continued to advance plans for these courses, including Secretary (Doug) Burgum’s announcement on social media of a renovation design by Fazio Design for East Potomac Golf Links, without any disclosure to the public or to Congress of the scope, cost, or basis on which that engagement was awarded,” — Senators Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Warner, Kaine
- “The absence of any reply is itself troubling, and recent developments have made our concerns considerably more urgent,” — Senators Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Warner, Kaine
- “These photos and statements seem to illustrate the Administration’s plans for East Potomac Park, yet the Department has still not provided Congress or the public with basic details about the scope of the project, the funding source, the expected period of closure or disruption, the effect on current users, or how such an accelerated timeline can be reconciled with applicable environmental, historic-preservation, procurement, and public-engagement requirements,” — Senators Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Warner, Kaine
- “It was determined that, on this fantastic site, with water and unparalleled views of D.C.’s Monuments, we will build one of the Greatest Golf Courses anywhere in the World, which, importantly, will also be made available to the Public,” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post.
