Huffman Moves to Wall Off Federal Dollars From Trump's East Potomac Golf Vision

Huffman Moves to Wall Off Federal Dollars From Trump's East Potomac Golf Vision

A letter aimed at the year-end spending bill

Rep. Jared Huffman of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, wrote to House and Senate appropriations leaders on October 29 asking them to attach restrictions to year-end spending legislation. The goal: stop the Trump administration from using taxpayer money to convert East Potomac Park into a championship golf course, and from transferring the public land to President Donald Trump, his family or their businesses.

A $500 million seawall request sits at the center

The administration has asked Congress for $500 million for National Park Service construction for "targeted restoration and construction" of the seawall around East Potomac Park, where the course sits, and the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. The Park Service says the seawall, built in the 1890s, has settled and been compromised to the point of "dangerous" conditions in places. Huffman argues the seawall repair and the golf overhaul are closely linked, and money for the failing seawall must not become a back door for the larger redevelopment.

Routine repairs yes, redesign and expansion no

Huffman's proposed language would still allow routine maintenance and seawall replacement along its current path. But it would bar federal money from redesigning or expanding the courses, altering roads, removing healthy trees, constructing new buildings or reshaping the land. It would also block any sale or transfer of East Potomac and bar agreements that could give Trump, his family or their businesses an interest in the property.

Democrats warn of a sale loophole held by Burgum

Huffman says federal law could let Interior Secretary Doug Burgum put the course up for sale and "hand-pick buyers through a private solicitation." The cited provision lets the Interior secretary sell Park Service real estate in the District of Columbia deemed no longer needed for public purposes, with the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission. "It would be unconscionable to let President Trump direct taxpayers to pay for the most expensive portion of the park's maintenance needs and then take it from them," Huffman said.

Courts, chainsaws and a November 15 closing date

The fight is already physical. The government cut down 430 trees with less than a day's notice, and U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary injunction on October 26 barring further cutting, damage or impairment of trees without a court order, plus at least 10 business days' written notice before closing the park or making any "irreversible modification." Trump called the ruling unconstitutional, vowed an appeal, and insists the course will still close on November 15 for a 15-month rebuild designed with architect Tom Fazio. Operator National Links Trust says it will end operations that same day. Records show the administration budgeted $1.2 million for tree removal, alongside a $389,000 compliance contract. What happens next turns on two tracks: whether appropriators adopt Huffman's guardrails, and how Reyes rules as the underlying lawsuit proceeds.