Toxic Metals Found in Soil Moved From White House to Public Golf Course

Construction of a privately funded renovation of the White House East Wing that includes a 90,000-square-foot ballroom is underway following an announcement by President Donald Trump in October 2025. The project was publicly justified as the creation of a secure military complex and a national security measure.

More than 2,000 truckloads of excavated soil from the demolition have been moved as of April to the East Potomac Golf Links, a public course located two miles from the White House. The administration also plans to renovate the course into a world-class facility.

, found the soil collected last month tested positive for lead, chromium and other toxic metals. The spokesperson added that the testing process was followed to ensure the transfer was safe for the public.

The nonprofit DC Preservation League and two residents filed an injunction in February claiming the dumped debris was hazardous. The group filed an emergency stay order earlier this week after reports that major renovations on the course would begin on Monday.

DC Preservation League Executive Director Rebecca Miller said in a statement that historic preservation is about maintaining qualities that make a site an asset, including affordability, openness and architectural significance. Miller added that losing this golf course would significantly impact shared history and limit public access to one of the District’s vital recreation and green spaces.

On Monday, a U.S. District Court judge told the U.S. government not to cut down more than 10 trees at the golf course without providing notice. The judge stopped short of issuing a temporary restraining order against the National Park Service.

Background on the Golf Course The East Potomac Golf Links opened in 1921.

A round of 18 holes currently costs about $42. In December, the Trump administration canceled the National Links Trust’s lease to operate three public courses in Washington, D.C., including East Potomac Golf Links, though the nonprofit continues to maintain the property.

The course is located in the Waterfront area south of the National Mall. A top fundraiser for Trump is seeking donations to a nonprofit to support renovation plans for the area, though court filings state no final decisions have been made regarding the nature and scope of the revisions.

The original ballroom construction was funded through private donations. Updated security enhancements may now bring the total cost of the 90,000-square-foot space to as much as $1 billion for taxpayers.

The administration has undertaken multiple projects affecting public spaces in Washington, D.C. These include changes to the White House Rose Garden last year that replaced its central lawn with a paved patio. Preservation groups including the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit in December 2025 seeking to block the ballroom addition until design reviews, environmental assessments, public dialogue and congressional debate are completed.