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Trump says judge to be held responsible if anyone dies on golf course

By Owen Scott4 min readThe Independent
Trump says judge to be held responsible if anyone dies on golf courseTrump says judge to be held responsible if anyone dies on golf course
President Trump has said that a federal judge will be held personally responsible for any deaths at East Potomac Park Golf Links (pictured) (AP)

President Trump has labeled the golf course as ‘very dangerous, dilapidated and unsightly’ and even claimed that a White House staffer was hit by an errant ball

President Donald Trump has warned a federal judge that he will hold her personally responsible if anyone dies on a “highly dangerous” golf course he wants renovated.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes attracting the president’s ire after limiting the Trump administration’s ability to carry out further changes at the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C.

​When around 430 trees were cut down at the course with less than 24 hours' notice earlier in October, Reyes ordered that 10 days’ notice must be provided before “irreparable modification” to the site.

​Trump took aim at Reyes in a fiery Truth Social post uploaded late on Wednesday, in which he hit out at the judge and the alleged state of the course.

President Trump has said that a federal judge will be held personally responsible for any deaths at East Potomac Park Golf Links (pictured)
President Trump has said that a federal judge will be held personally responsible for any deaths at East Potomac Park Golf Links (pictured) (AP)

​“We will hold the judge, Ana C. Reyes, fully responsible for anybody who is hurt, or killed, on this very dangerous, dilapidated, and unsightly Golf Course,” he blasted.

​Trump shared one image showing a huge patch of dried and muddied grass on the course. In another, “excrement” can be seen on a building’s stairwell.

​The president also shared several other posts showing areas at the golf course.

​“East Potomac Golf Course is highly dangerous, dilapidated, and absolutely disgusting,” Trump wrote, adding: “The gaping holes in the driving range’s ‘protective’ netting are highly hazardous.”

Judge Ana Reyes limited the Trump administration's ability to carry out renovations to the park
Judge Ana Reyes limited the Trump administration's ability to carry out renovations to the park (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee)

​Trump continued: “Golf balls soar through the holes at high speed and hit unexpecting Golfers - including a White House staffer who was, sadly, hit violently in the chest.”

​The president also said that he wants to transform the course from a “National Disgrace” to a “WORLD CLASS PUBLIC Golf Course that is AFFORDABLE for locals.”

​On Tuesday, Reyes asked that the Justice Department explain whether Trump’s previous post stating that the park would close on November 15 for 15 months should be taken literally.

​The DOJ later filed a notice on Wednesday stating that Trump’s proposal is accurate, with the National Park Service set to send a rendering of the renovated course to the National Capital Planning Commission on Friday.

Trump has shared several images showing what he describes as 'dilapidated' conditions at the golf course, including holes in safety nets
Trump has shared several images showing what he describes as 'dilapidated' conditions at the golf course, including holes in safety nets (Truth Social/@RealDonaldTrump)

On October 26, Reyes issued a preliminary injunction to stop the removal of any trees at the golf course, stating that 10 days' notice must be given before any “irreparable modification” is made to the site while a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers remains active.

​The renovations to the golf course are just one of several construction projects ordered by Trump in Washington, D.C.

​During his second term in office, he has torn down the White House’s East Wing to replace it with a ballroom, paved over the presidential building’s historic Rose Garden and redecorated the Oval Office.

The commander-in-chief has also built a new helipad at the White House, briefly installed a UFC fighting cage on the executive mansion’s South Lawn and ordered for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to be drained and repainted - only for bright green algae blooms and peeled lining to appear in the water.

Trump has also branded the golf course as 'absolutely disgusting,' sharing an image of one of the fields at the site
Trump has also branded the golf course as 'absolutely disgusting,' sharing an image of one of the fields at the site (Truth Social/@RealDonaldTrump)

​The president’s rant about the East Potomac Golf Links comes less than a week before the midterm elections, which could see the Democratic Party increasing its power in Congress.

​Ahead of the elections, former President Obama has mocked his successor’s refurbishment projects, leading to the two presidents trading insults during their rallies.

​“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he seems very focused on home renovations,” Obama said in Michigan. “He should be on HGTV.

​“Guy’s building a ballroom that’s bigger than the White House,” Obama continued, adding: “He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”