Trump Administration Cancels National Links Trust Lease for Washington Public Golf Courses

The Trump administration has canceled a long-term lease held by the nonprofit National Links Trust (NLT) to manage three major public golf courses in Washington, D.C., a move that has sparked controversy and raised questions about the future of affordable public golf in the nation’s capital. The decision, announced this week by the U.S. Interior Department, terminates a 50-year lease granted to NLT in 2020 to oversee East Potomac Park, Rock Creek Park, and Langston Golf Course.

In a letter sent Tuesday, the Interior Department accused National Links Trust of failing to make required capital investments and of not paying rent owed under the lease. According to the department, NLT did not provide adequate assurances that it had the funding or plans necessary to fulfill its obligations, citing a lack of renovations and improvements at all three golf courses. The National Park Service, which operates under the Interior Department, was referenced as having sought compliance over several years.

NLT strongly disputed the claims, stating that it has consistently complied with all lease requirements and worked closely with the National Park Service since taking over management five years ago. The nonprofit emphasized that its lease allows rent to be offset through approved course improvements, adding that such offsets were authorized by the Park Service. NLT said it first learned of any alleged rent issues only recently, after receiving a default notice, and criticized the administration for providing little clarity.

The cancellation comes amid a broader reshaping of Washington, D.C., under President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year. Since then, his administration has taken aggressive steps locally, including deploying the National Guard, renaming cultural institutions, and threatening greater federal control over city governance. Nationally, Trump has pursued confrontations with universities, law firms, and media organizations, while implementing tariffs that have unsettled global markets.

An avid golfer, Trump owns multiple private golf courses worldwide, including one in nearby Virginia. While the White House declined to comment on whether the president has specific plans for the D.C. public golf courses, the Interior Department defended its actions as part of its mission to deliver results for the American people.

For now, National Links Trust says it will continue operating the courses to keep them open, though long-term renovation projects have been paused. The nonprofit remains “stubbornly hopeful” that a resolution can be reached to preserve affordable and accessible public golf in Washington, D.C.