Trump Claims White House Staffer Injured at Blocked Potomac Golf Course
The president is holding a federal judge personally accountable after she issued a temporary stay on the park's redevelopment.
By Lauren Mitchell ·
President Donald Trump has escalated his dispute over the East Potomac Park redevelopment by alleging a federal judge bears direct responsibility for a recent injury to a White House employee.
In a late-night Truth Social post, Trump stated that a staffer was hit violently in the chest by a golf ball while playing at the course. He described the facility as highly dangerous, dilapidated, and absolutely disgusting.
The president wrote that he would hold U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes fully responsible for anyone who is hurt or killed on the property. Reyes is a Biden appointee who temporarily barred the Interior Department from redeveloping the 106-year-old park on Monday.
The judge’s order came amid a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers. They argue the proposed work will irreparably destroy a priceless piece of American history. The park includes a golf course and miles of public walking and cycling trails.
Trump has pursued plans for over a year to transform the federal facility into an exclusive world championship course. The preservation league’s lawsuit alleges the administration violated environmental laws. A prior court order had already halted work after the government cut down hundreds of healthy, noninvasive trees without warning.
Despite the legal stay, Trump announced on social media that the park would close by November 15. He said renovations would last 15 months and labeled the judge a crazed lunatic. Reyes ordered that no more trees be removed and required 10 days’ notice before the administration makes further changes to the grounds.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the staffer’s condition.
Source: HuffPost
