Trump defies court order to close historic golf course for 15 months of renovations

CBS News and PBS NewsHour report that President Donald Trump has announced he will shut East Potomac Golf Course in Washington for about 15 months, starting Nov. 15, to rebuild it, though a lawsuit over the project is unresolved. His social media post did not mention the litigation, according to PBS NewsHour · CBS News.

CBS News says Trump credited the Department of the Interior, under Secretary Doug Burgum, and architect Tom Fazio with the plan. The new course would stay open to the public while being built for events like the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup. Trump described the present layout as dilapidated, with unsafe trees and a hazardous seawall.

The courts remain a hurdle, and the outlets differ on timing. CBS News says U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes barred tree removal through Oct. 16 and required notice before irreparable changes; PBS NewsHour says her order halts the plans until at least Oct. 26. PBS NewsHour adds that the administration asked for Reyes to be replaced, citing what it called "egregious" behavior, and that a hearing is set for Monday. Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, said the group would keep defending the course.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour · CBS News, PBS NewsHour and CBS News’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour · CBS News → Also at PBS NewsHour → Also at CBS News →