A federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration protect the digital communications of a high-ranking Interior Department official. this legal requirement arises from an ongoing dispute regarding the proposed transformation of the historic East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D .C.
Judge Reyes orders Gregory Wischer to preserve personal phone data
Judge Ana C. Reyes has expanded a preservation order to include all digital content on the personal phone of Gregory Wischer, the Interior Department's deputy chief of staff for poilcy.. As Newsweek reported, this directive is intended to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the legal battle over the East Potomac Golf Links.
The recent court order from Judge Reyes requires the government to take "appropriate steps" to safeguard all material on Wischer's device concerning the golf course and the ongoing litigation. This is a significant escalation from an earlier order that only covered specific text messages . The mandate does not require the immediate handover of the physical device to the court,but rather serves as a safeguard against the spoliation of evidence.
The shift from National Links Trust to Secretary Burgum's 18-hole design
The conflict began in February 2025 when the Interior Department terminated the lease held by the National Links Trust, the operator of the public golf course. This move allowed the administration to regain direct control of the federal land, paving the way for a complete overhaul of the facility.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum provided more clarity on the administration's goals in May 2026 when he unveiled a design featuring an 18-hole championship course, a nine-hole short course, and expanded practice facilities. this design was developed following a site visit with renowned golf-course architect Tom Fazio, signaling a move away from the course's traditional role as an affordable public resource.
Allegations of White House debris and environmental law violations
The D.C. Preservation League, alongside local golfers Alex Dickson and Dave Roberts,filed a lawsuit on February 13, 2026, to halt the redevelopment. According to the report, their legal challenge highlights potential violations of federal environmental-review requirements and historic-preservation laws.
One of the more unusual allegations in the lawsuit involves the potential use of debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing. The plaintiffs expressed concern that such materials might be brought into the park during the construction process, adding a layer of environmental and logistical scrutiny to the project.
The conflict between Truth Social announcements and the lack of a permanent injunction
Significant uncertainty persists regarding the administration's actual timeline for construction. While President Trump announced on Truth Social on June 28, 2026, that work would begin on September 1, the government continues to argue in court that no "final agency action" has occurred that would allow for judicial review.
It remains unclear when Judge Reyes will hold a hearing for a permanent injunction to stop the project, as she has previously denied requests to extend a temporary restraining order. Furthermore, the court has not yet determined if the administration's plans for the East Potomac Golf Links will ultimately satisfy the strict requirements of federal administrative procedures.
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