Four Democratic senators from Maryland and Virginia have demanded answers from the Trump administration over its sudden termination of a nonprofit's lease to manage Washington, D.C.'s historic municipal golf courses. The move has halted renovations and raised concerns about public access and environmental safety. Lawmakers cite potential legal overreach and the dumping of White House construction debris on one course as key issues.
The Trump administration's decision to terminate the 50-year lease held by the National Links Trust (NLT) with the National Park Service has sparked bipartisan backlash, though the opposition comes primarily from Democratic lawmakers in neighboring states. On December 31, the Department of the Interior issued a formal notice ending NLT's management of three public courses: East Potomac Golf Links, Langston Golf Course, and Rock Creek Park Golf. These facilities, operational since the 1920s, have long provided affordable access to golf in the nation's capital, with tee times at East Potomac costing between $42 and $48. Langston, opened in 1939, was one of only 20 U.S. courses welcoming Black golfers at the time, underscoring its historical significance for inclusion in the sport. NLT assumed the lease in October 2020, investing private funds in community programs and capital improvements. This included breaking ground on a full-scale renovation of Rock Creek in November 2025, just weeks before receiving a notice of default. The project now stands indefinitely halted, threatening youth programs and preservation efforts. Compounding concerns, truckloads of dirt and debris from the White House's East Wing demolition were dumped on East Potomac without explanation, raising public health and environmental worries. The course, situated between the Potomac River and Washington Channel, already faces drainage issues, and no testing for hazardous materials has been disclosed. In an open letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service Acting Director Jessica Bowron, Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, along with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia, questioned the legality of the termination. They noted that the administration alleged NLT failed to meet renovation timelines, but lease terms allow for compliance extensions, and NLT disputes any violations. The senators also highlighted the lack of a required 45-day cure period. Alsobrooks described the actions as a 'complete overreach,' stating, 'The Trump administration seems to feel they have complete control of our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., when in reality, we—the Senators of its neighboring states—know D.C. belongs to the American people.' Van Hollen added, 'The public has a right to know what legal justification the administration has for this takeover, as well as any public health and safety risks resulting from their activities on these properties.' Warner called it a 'Trump ego trip at the expense of affordable accessible public spaces,' while Kaine urged focus on the economy over 'erasing history and restricting access to America’s public lands.' NLT co-founder Will Smith emphasized the courses' national value: 'Rock Creek Park Golf, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links are national assets—historic public spaces that embody access, inclusion, and affordable public recreation.' Despite the termination, NLT continues operating East Potomac and Langston for public use until the Interior Department assumes control, the timing of which remains unclear. The nonprofit is exploring legal options to challenge the decision. Meanwhile, NLT has announced a new initiative in Port Townsend, Washington, to support the Camas Prairie Park golf facility.
