Trump described the course, about two miles south of the White House, as outdated and in disrepair. A design he shared on Truth Social, he said, would bring the facility to a high competitive standard and make it capable of hosting major tournaments. His post did not address the legal dispute.

The lawsuit, filed in February by a Washington preservation group and two individuals against the Interior Department and National Park Service, argues that a championship-style course could make tee times more expensive at a facility intended to be open to everyone. The plaintiffs are seeking to protect the park’s public recreational use.

The government has countered that the plaintiffs have not demonstrated concrete harm, arguing that preferences about the course’s appearance or recreational offerings do not establish a legally protected interest.

During a contentious hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the administration to halt tree cutting in the park. On Friday, government defendants filed a motion seeking Reyes’ disqualification, accusing her of bias. The next hearing was scheduled for Monday.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, one of the organizations representing the plaintiffs, said East Potomac Park is a national park and recreational facility intended for everyone. The litigation, she said, aims to protect the place for the communities it serves.

The dispute raises questions about how a public park should be managed and who will be able to use the course if the proposed redesign proceeds. The announced closure would temporarily remove the facility from public use while that debate continues in court.