Why does Trump want to transform the East Potomac Golf Links in DC?

The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to renovate the historic East Potomac Golf Links in Washington DC, with the design for the reimagined course released May 14.

Interior Department Secretary Doug Burgum, who unveiled the proposed redesign in a post on X, said the 18-hole course will maintain "affordable, highly discounted rates."

But why does the president want to remodel a Washington DC golf course - and why are locals not happy about it?

Here's what we know.

Why does Trump want to redesign a Washington DC golf course?

Trump has envisioned turning East Potomac Golf Links into a "championship-level course," according to The Athletic, and his plan recently gained momentum.

Last week, the Department of the Interior announced a new agreement for several private and public entities to begin "immediate renovations" of the course.

Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park will also be renovated and restored, with Burgum saying the three courses will be transformed into "the country's most premier public golf courses."

Trump has not commented much on the golf courses, but told The Wall Street Journal in December, "If we do them, we'll do it really beautifully."

The efforts to remodel the popular golf courses are "in support of President Trump's efforts to beautify and revitalize Washington DC," Burgum said.

"East Potomac Golf Links will offer a top-tier 18-hole championship golf course capable of hosting pre-eminent tournament golf and offering players - of all abilities - an incredible experience in the heart of the Nation's Capital and National Mall," officials said in a joint statement. "The property will also offer other playing opportunities and world-class practice and short-game facilities, as well as other recreational spaces."

The reimagined East Potomac Golf Links was designed by Fazio Design and modeled after New York's Bethpage Black Golf Course and Torrey Pines Golf Course in California.

What does the community think of the proposed East Potomac Golf Links changes?

Save East Po, an advocacy group fighting Trump's plans to redesign the golf course, took issue that the design was released without any public input.

"The DMV community that uses this place every day was never consulted. Not once," Save East Po said on X. "That alone should disqualify any design from moving forward on public land."

The current East Potomac Golf Links in Southwest DC features an 18-hole course and two 9-hole courses, but the reimagined course will trim the capacity from 36 holes to 27 holes.

Save East Po criticized the move to transform the 18-hole course into a 7,700-yard championship-level course rather than one "built for ordinary people."

"Everyone I’ve talked to doesn’t understand why this is some sort of priority for the administration,” Alex Rosen told The Washington Post. “Muni golf is meant for the citizens and residents of a locality. Nobody who golfs at East Potomac cares if there will ever be a championship course there.”

Those thoughts were echoed by Barry Svrluga of The Athletic, who believes East Potomac should feature shorter courses for kids and older people.

"The municipal golf courses of the District of Columbia should be managed by people who understand what it’s like to live here. Not for a four-year term, but for a lifetime or a career," he wrote. "The golf courses are an important part of the fabric of life for a lot of District residents. They shouldn’t be a symbol for the rights the citizens of the nation’s capital don’t have."

Other people who use the course within East Potomac Park criticize the proposed design's limitations for birding, fishing and cycling, all popular activities in the park, the Post reported.