A Washington, D.C., preservation group has filed court documents claiming that the Trump administration dumped toxic debris from the White House’s East Wing demolition at a local golf course.
Toxic Debris Dumped at East Potomac Golf Course
The filing alleges that more than 30,000 cubic yards of debris — enough to fill over three dump trucks — were transferred to the East Potomac Golf Course in D.C. This debris came from an area that Trump is converting into a ballroom and bunker.
Dangerous Pollutants Detected
According to the court documents, tests on the debris revealed concerning levels of arsenic, hydrocarbons, lead, and other pollutants. The Preservation League claims that the debris was never confirmed safe before or after dumping.
The filing also suggests that one contractor may not have tested for the correct contaminants and that testing by a second contractor was delayed for eight days after dumping began.
Despite alarming results, official paperwork stated there was “No Potential For Significant Impacts on Sensitive Resources,” even though the site sits on land with a high water table where pollutants could reach groundwater.
Questions About the Site Choice
The Trump administration has not explained why it chose the golf course as a dumping site. Trump has indicated plans to rebrand the area as the “Washington National Golf Course,” and renovations were reportedly underway.
Legal Action and Emergency Stay
The D.C. Preservation League requested an emergency stay to halt the project, but a federal judge denied the request in early May. Democracy Forward, co-representing the Preservation League, called for a review of the new test results, stating that the government “dumped a cocktail of contaminants” on the course and continues to do so.
Government Response
A Department of the Interior spokesperson told the Associated Press that the debris “was tested multiple times, by multiple parties, and this project passed all standards set by law.”
