PGA announces plans to move 2022 championship from Trump property

The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America announced on Sunday its plans to move the 2022 championship away from property owned by President Trump. 

The PGA of America Board of Directors voted to end its contract to hold the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, PGA of America President Jim Richerson said in a statement. The announcement comes in the days after the president’s supporters raided the Capitol.

“It’s become clear that conducting the PGA championship at Trump Bedminster would be detrimental to the PGA of America brand and would put at risk the PGA’s ability to deliver on many programs and sustain the longevity of our mission,” Richerson said in a video. 

“Our board has thus made the decision to exercise our right to terminate the contract to hold the 2022 PGA championship at Trump Bedminster,” he continued. “It was a decision made to ensure PGA of America and PGA professionals can continue to lead and grow our great game for decades to come.”

PGA revoked Trump’s golf club from hosting the championship next year as the president faces backlash for his role in encouraging his supporters to flock to D.C. and march on the Capitol in opposition to the Electoral College results. 

A mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol building last week as Congress was debating the Electoral College vote that certified President-elect Joe Biden’s win. The raid forced both chambers to halt their debate on the matter and lawmakers to flee to secure locations to avoid violence. 

The riot at the Capitol resulted in at least five deaths, including a Capitol Police officer and a female rioter shot by a different Capitol Police officer. At least 90 people have been arrested in connection with the raid, according to The Associated Press. 

Several businesses have distanced themselves from the president and his campaign, including payment processing firm Stripe and the campaign’s email vendor. 

In the aftermath, Trump has also been permanently suspended from Twitter and blocked from Facebook until at least Biden’s inauguration. 

Marriott International Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association both announced they would stop company donations to any lawmakers who voted to oppose the Electoral College vote after the riot.