Trump Terminates Key Lease
The Trump administration has formally terminated a federal lease with the National Links Trust, the nonprofit group that has managed Washington, D.C.’s public golf courses for the past five years — citing missed deadlines and a failure to deliver promised improvements.
According to confirmation provided Wednesday by The Hill, federal officials notified the trust that it was in breach of its agreement with the National Park Service, which owns the land beneath the District’s three municipal golf courses.
The lease agreement, signed in 2020, was structured as a public-private partnership aimed at restoring and modernizing several historically significant golf facilities using private donations alongside local government support. The plan emphasized preserving public access while upgrading aging infrastructure.
But federal officials now say those commitments were not met.
The Department of the Interior, which oversees the National Park Service, said required capital improvements were not completed within a reasonable timeframe — a failure the administration argues left taxpayers with little to show for years of delays.
“The Trump administration believes in results, transparency, and accountability,” an Interior Department spokesperson said Wednesday. “When agreements are not honored, corrective action is necessary.”
Nonprofit Pushes Back, Disputes Breach Claims
The National Links Trust said it was “devastated” by the termination notice and strongly disagreed with the federal government’s assessment, insisting it had maintained a cooperative working relationship with park officials throughout the process.
Despite the disagreement, the termination took effect immediately.
To prevent disruption for local residents and visiting golfers, the trust will continue managing day-to-day operations for now. However, all long-term renovation and redevelopment projects have been halted, including work at Rock Creek Park and planned upgrades at East Potomac Golf Links and Langston Golf Course.
Public Reaction and Legal Questions Emerge
News of the potential lease termination had already stirred backlash from local officials and public golf supporters in recent weeks. Some critics speculated the land could eventually be considered for redevelopment — though the administration has made no such announcement.
Washington’s municipal golf system is nationally recognized for its affordability, scenic locations, and deep historical roots, making the future of the courses a topic of strong public interest.
Sources familiar with the situation say the National Links Trust has retained new legal counsel and is weighing possible legal action following the termination.
“This is not the outcome we worked toward,” the nonprofit said in a statement. “While this decision represents a major setback, we remain hopeful that a responsible path forward can still be found — one that protects affordable public golf for future generations in the nation’s capital.”
