The Trump administration has moved to end a long-term lease that allows a nonprofit group to operate three public golf courses in Washington, D.C.
Why It Matters
The move comes amid broader comments from President Trump about the possibility of revamping the district’s golf facilities.
Trump, who is an avid golfer and owns multiple courses in the U.S. and abroad, suggested the courses could be redone under his administration. “If we do them, we’ll do it really beautifully,” he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on December 12.
President Trump has also taken numerous actions since his inauguration in January to leave his imprint on the capital city, including overseeing a major overhaul of parts of the White House that involves tearing down the East Wing and replacing it with a new ballroom.
At the Kennedy Center, a Trump-appointed board made him chair and later voted to rename the institution after him and John F. Kennedy, prompting some performers to cancel appearances.
What To Know
The National Links Trust (NLT), a nonprofit organization, has managed East Potomac, Rock Creek Park and Langston golf courses for the past five years. On Tuesday, the Interior Department informed the group that it was unilaterally terminating the 50-year lease agreement granted in 2020.
In its letter, the department accused NLT of failing to make required investments in the properties and of not paying rent—claims the organization disputes.
Will Smith, a co-founder of the National Links Trust, said the decision came as a shock. He told MSNOW that the nonprofit disagrees with the administration’s claims that it failed to meet the lease terms and said that “we were sort of blindsided by this.”
In a statement issued this week, the Interior Department defended its action, with a spokesperson saying: “The Trump administration prides itself on getting the job done for the American people and partnering with others who share that same goal.”
In a lengthy statement, the NLT said it was “devastated” by the decision to terminate the lease. The organization said that since taking over stewardship of the three courses, it has “consistently complied with all lease obligations” and is “fundamentally in disagreement with the administration’s characterization of NLT as being in default under the lease.”
According to the nonprofit, it has invested more than $8.5 million in capital improvement projects over the past five years. Those efforts, it said, helped more than double rounds and revenues while keeping green fees “well below the market average for area public courses.”
The group also pointed to its community impact, particularly its Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program at Langston, which has provided summer jobs to nearly 200 D.C. high school students.
What People Are Saying
Kevin Van Valkenburg, director of content at Fried Egg Golf, said on X: “This hasn’t resonated yet outside golf, but what this administration is essentially doing is taking over a national park for invented reasons so that the Trump Organization can run it and profit from it. Imagine if Yellowstone suddenly cost $1,000 but mostly served lobbyists.”
What Happens Next
For now, NLT said it has agreed to remain in place as the operator so the courses can stay open and employees can continue working. However, it warned that long-term renovation projects will stop.
