The Trump administration is terminating a nonprofit’s administration of three public Washington, DC, golf courses, in what could be the newest effort to place President Donald Trump’s stamp on local institutions.
The Department of the Interior mentioned National Links Trust’s lease was terminated as a result of the group defaulted on a number of features of its 50-year lease with the National Park Service to handle the courses. The nonprofit denied the allegations, saying on Wednesday that it essentially disagreed with the administration’s stance and is “devastated” by the termination.
In a press release asserting the termination, the group mentioned that whereas the courses will stay open, its long-term renovation initiatives should cease. It mentioned it had invested $8.5 million in capital enchancment initiatives on the courses since taking over the lease 5 years in the past.
“We will continue to seek a dialogue with the administration to offer our experience, institutional knowledge, and strong community relationships to explore shared goals for these historic public assets,” National Links Trust mentioned. “While this termination is a major setback, we remain stubbornly hopeful that a path forward can be found that preserves affordable and accessible public golf in the nation’s capital for generations to come.”
The nonprofit manages courses in DC’s Rock Creek Park; in the jap a part of the town simply north of the under-demolition RFK Stadium; and on Hains Point, an island nestled on the Potomac River between DC and Virginia.
Trump prompt in an interview with the Wall Street Journal earlier this month that he was considering redeveloping the courses, saying, “If we do them, we’ll do it really beautifully.” He additionally mentioned if he took control, DC residents would pay a decrease price than different golfers, based on the Journal.
The lease termination was first reported by The Washington Post, which mentioned that the Department of the Interior issued its termination discover on Tuesday.
A White House spokesperson referred a request for remark to the Department of the Interior. That division mentioned in a press release that the administration “prides itself on getting the job done for the American people and partnering with others who share that same goal.”
The Interior Department claimed that National Links Trust has did not pay thousands and thousands of {dollars} in hire owed below the contract, paying $0 in hire some years. It additionally accused the group of failing to supply a plan to treatment that default.
A replica of the lease settlement obtained by NCS exhibits that National Links Trust was allowed to offset the price of its hire with authorised capital enchancment initiatives. The $8.5 million in capital enhancements the group says it has invested is greater than what the Interior Department says it owes in hire.
“We are fundamentally in disagreement with the administration’s characterization of NLT as being in default under the lease,” National Links Trust mentioned in its assertion. “We have always had a productive and cooperative working relationship with the National Park Service and have worked hand in hand on all aspects of our golf course operations and development projects.”
An individual aware of the operations at National Links Trust mentioned the group is reserving its rights to discover authorized choices.
Since taking workplace a 12 months in the past, Trump has sought to place his mark on native establishments or organizations which have usually by no means fallen below the purview of the president. Days after taking workplace, Trump introduced an aggressive plan to purge the prevailing board of the Kennedy Center and put ahead a brand new slate of loyalists.
That new board lately voted so as to add Trump’s title to the middle – which Congress designated as a dwelling memorial to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination. Trump’s title was added to the constructing earlier this month, prompting a sequence of cancelations from artists who had been scheduled to carry out on the middle.
The president has additionally moved to exert control over the Smithsonian Institution and its Washington museums, demolish the East Wing of the White House to construct a brand new ballroom, and take part in efforts to deliver the Washington Commanders soccer crew again to the town at a newly deliberate stadium. The White House has suggested the new stadium should be named after Trump.
East Potomac Golf Links on Hains Point has performed an element in one renovation overseen by the president. NCS reported in October that vans carrying particles from the demolition of the East Wing had been dumping grime on the course.
It’s unclear whether or not Trump has ever golfed at any of the courses managed by National Links Trust. He typically travels to a golf course he owns in Virginia.