Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Warner, and Kaine Demand Answers on Trump Administration’s Takeover of DC Golf Courses

Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in urging the Trump Administration to give detailed explanations of the legal basis for the Administration's recent move to oust National Links Trust (NLT) as the manager of DC's historic municipal golf courses.

In a letter addressed to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service Acting Director Jessica Bowron, the Senators raise concerns about reports that the Department of the Interior has terminated NLT's 50-year lease to operate Washington, D.C.'s three municipal golf courses-East Potomac, Langston, and Rock Creek-without adhering to required contractual notice and cure provisions. It highlights NLT's substantial investments and progress rehabilitating historically underfunded public courses, including the now-halted renovation of the historic Rock Creek Park Golf Course, and warns that lease termination jeopardizes public access, affordability, and preservation efforts.

The Senators also raise troubling reports that construction debris from the White House East Wing renovation was dumped on the East Potomac White Course, raising unresolved environmental and public health concerns due to a lack of transparency about testing and materials. The letter requests detailed explanations of the legal basis for the Administration's actions, compliance with lease and environmental requirements, and disclosure of any risk assessments or remediation plans before any further action affecting these public assets proceeds.

"For decades, DC's public golf courses have provided community-wide access to a sport that too often chose exclusivity over inclusivity. Even today, these courses have held a unique role in the District, offering free golf lessons and community development programs to residents of all ages. But the Trump Administration is attempting to rob local communities of these treasured recreational spaces. 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. These historic courses should remain safe and accessible to the local community - instead of whatever vanity project Trump has next in mind," said Senator Van Hollen.

"The Trump Administration seems to feel they have complete control of our nation's capital, Washington DC, when in reality, we - the Senators of its neighboring states - know DC belongs to the American people and great people of the District. The Administration's ousting of National Links Trust in addition to dumping their new ballroom construction debris on the East Potomac White Course is just further proof of this Administration's complete overreach. I look forward to hearing back in a timely manner from Secretary Burgum and Acting Director Bowron to address these pressing concerns," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"The decision to terminate the NLT's lease without following proper procedure is just another example of the Trump administration's extreme overreach, infringement on local institutions, disregard for ongoing investment projects, and indifference to the wants and needs of local communities," said Senator Warner. "It's hard to believe that this is anything more than another Trump ego trip at the expense of affordable and accessible public spaces."

"During the Civil Rights Movement, activists secured equal access to these public courses while private clubs continued to discriminate," said Senator Kaine. "National Links Trust continues to preserve that history and ensure everyone has an opportunity to get outdoors. At a time when Americans are begging for Trump to focus on the economy and making their lives better, he's focused on erasing history and restricting access to America's public lands. It's time Trump does his job and focus on the American people-not himself."

"Having Senators from Maryland and Virginia speak out makes clear that these courses are valued by people across the region and around the country," said Will Smith, co-founder of National Links Trust. "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 for golfers and families across the DMV. They are not only a point of local pride; they are public resources with national significance that deserve careful consideration and responsible stewardship. National Links Trust thanks Senators Warner, Kaine, Van Hollen, and Alsobrooks for their support and leadership in protecting these historic properties and national parks for the tens of thousands of people who enjoy them today and for future generations."

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Burgum and Acting Director Bowron:

We write to express serious concerns regarding recent public reporting that the Administration has terminated the lease held by the National Links Trust (NLT) for operation of the municipal golf courses East Potomac Golf Links, Langston Golf Course, and Rock Creek Park Golf Course in Washington, D.C.

In 2020, National Links Trust was awarded a 50-year lease by the National Park Service to operate Washington D.C.'s three municipal golf courses, and to manage their refurbishment. On December 30, 2025, the Interior Department reportedly issued a letter terminating the lease, reportedly, for failure to complete required capital improvements and to provide a satisfactory plan to cure alleged defaults under the lease.

According to reporting in The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, the National Park Service (NPS) may not have adhered to the legally required notification and consultation processes prior to taking steps that could materially affect NLT's lease and operations. Pursuant to Section 17.1 of the Lease Agreement between the National Park Service and the National Links Trust (NPS Lease # NCR-3060-19-001) governing these three golf courses, the NPS (the Lessor) must first issue a written notice that identifies specific violations of the agreement and affords NLT (the Lessee) at least 45 calendar days to cure non-monetary defaults. . If remediation requires more than 45 days, the lease expressly provides that termination cannot occur as long as the lessee begins corrective actions within the 45-day period and thereafter diligently pursues such efforts to completion. National Links Trust was given none of these details in the notice of default issued to them October 29, 2025, by the National Park Service, as required by the lease agreement.

Over the five years NLT has managed DC's municipal courses, it has made over $8.5 million in capital improvements to the courses, each of which had fallen into disrepair under previous management, due to years of deferred maintenance. NLT also initiated the first of three major course renovation projects, beginning with Rock Creek Park Golf Course. The renovation project at Rock Creek, one of the nation's oldest public courses and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, included the construction of a new maintenance facility, clubhouse, driving range, and putting course, along with a comprehensive renovation of the course itself, led by renowned golf course architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. This project has now been halted, following the termination of NLT's lease. NLT's broader plan envisioned sequential renovations of Langston Golf Course and East Potomac Golf Links that would preserve each course's historic nature while maintaining public access and affordability, a hallmark of these courses, which have served communities in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland for nearly a century.

We are further troubled by public reporting that dirt and construction debris from the demolition and renovation of the White House East Wing have been deposited on the 9-hole, White Course at East Potomac Golf Links. Reporting has raised concerns about the nature of this material, the lack of public disclosure regarding its contents, and the absence of transparency surrounding any testing conducted for hazardous substances. These reports raise serious environmental and public health concerns. East Potomac Golf Links is a heavily used public facility located along the Potomac River. The White Course in particular serves junior golfers, seniors, beginners, and community programs.

National Links Trust has worked in close partnership with the National Park Service to rehabilitate historically underinvested public assets, expand youth and community programming, preserve historic course design, and keep golf affordable and accessible.

Before the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service takes any action that would invalidate, suspend, or terminate NLT's lease, we respectfully request clear answers to the following questions:

1. What specific statutory or contractual violation is being relied upon to justify potential action against NLT?

2. What notice, consultation, and cure provisions-if any-were triggered under the lease?

3. Why were Members of Congress and the District of Columbia not formally notified prior to reports of impending action?

4. What materials were deposited on the White Course at East Potomac Golf Links, and from which construction activities did they originate?

5. Was any hazardous materials testing conducted prior to or after deposition of this material? If so, by whom, using what standards, and with what results?

6. Why have testing results, if conducted, not been made publicly available?

7. What assessment has been made of potential risks to golfers, course employees, youth participants, and the surrounding environment?

8. What remediation plans exist if hazardous substances are identified?

9. How does the Department intend to ensure compliance with federal environmental and public health laws?

The municipal golf courses of Washington, D.C. are public assets with deep historical, recreational, and community value. Decisions affecting their future-and the health and safety of the public-must be guided by law, transparency, and respect for long-standing partnerships. We look forward to your prompt response and stand ready to work with the Department to ensure these matters are handled responsibly and in the public interest.

Sincerely,