Beyer Statement On East Potomac Park

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., today blasted President Trump’s announcement that he would destroy East Potomac Park to build an expensive new golf course. Beyer recently led a site tour at East Potomac with cyclists, runners, and other local residents to raise awareness of the Trump Administration’s malfeasance there, and subsequently joined a congressional investigation of the Administration’s secretive activities at the site. Days later, a federal judge eviscerated Trump officials for their sudden demolition of hundreds of trees at the park on hours’ notice. Beyer said: “The Trump Administration was clearly lying about the reasons for their mass felling of trees in East Potomac last weekend. They were lying to conceal from the American people that, at a time when our country is at war and everyone is worried about the economy and high prices, the President simply doesn’t care. Trump is focused on building an upscale golf course within walking distance of the White House, on his fancy ballroom, and on his memorial arch to himself. “The design Trump is pursuing would block off or eliminate roads and paths used by large numbers of local residents for cycling and walking, no doubt to make the area another exclusive hangout for his rich and powerful friends. He is almost certainly doing all of this at great expense on taxpayers’ dime, and if recent history is a guide, with corrupt contracting practices. What a disgrace.”