Table of Contents
- Judge Halts Trump Library Land Transfer
- Sunshine Law at the Heart of the Ruling
- Miami Dade College’s Controversial Decision
- Why This Miami Waterfront Lot Is Worth Hundreds of Millions
- What Happens Next?
- Sources
Trump Library Land Deal Temporarily Blocked
In a significant legal setback for former President Donald Trump’s presidential library plans, a Florida judge has issued a temporary injunction halting the transfer of a prime downtown Miami waterfront property intended for the project.
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Judge Mavel Ruiz of Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit ruled that Miami Dade College failed to provide “reasonable public notice” before voting to hand over the 2.63-acre parcel to the state—a critical step toward gifting it to Trump’s nonprofit foundation.
“This is not a case rooted in politics,” Judge Ruiz emphasized during her ruling. “It’s about procedural transparency and the public’s right to participate in decisions involving valuable public assets.”
Sunshine Law Violation Cited
The judge’s decision centers on Florida’s Sunshine Law, which mandates government transparency in meetings and decision-making. Although the law doesn’t require detailed agendas, prior case law establishes that notices must be “fair and reasonable” enough to inform citizens about matters that could affect their rights.
In this case, the college’s board of trustees held a special meeting on September 23 that lasted under five minutes. The only public notice stated the board would “discuss potential real estate transactions”—with no mention of the Trump library, the specific property, or the planned conveyance.
“The court does not believe that the notice was reasonable,” Judge Ruiz concluded.
Miami Dade College’s Rushed Move
The controversy began in mid-September when the Florida Office of Cabinet Affairs sent an unexplained letter to Miami Dade College requesting the property transfer. Days later, on September 23, the college’s board voted unanimously—without discussion—to deed the land to the state.
A week after that, Governor Ron DeSantis and his cabinet (including the attorney general and chief financial officer) formally approved transferring the land to Trump’s foundation.
Critics, including Miami historian Marvin Dunn—who filed the lawsuit—argued the public was deliberately kept in the dark. “This is one of the most valuable public assets in South Florida,” Dunn said. “Citizens deserved a real chance to weigh in.”
Why This Miami Waterfront Lot Is Worth Hundreds of Millions
Purchased by Miami Dade College in 2004 for $25 million, the downtown waterfront parcel is now assessed by the county at over $67 million. However, real estate experts estimate its true market value exceeds $360 million due to its location, size, and development potential.
That staggering valuation has intensified scrutiny over the rushed handover—and why a public institution would relinquish such an asset with minimal oversight.
What Happens Next?
Importantly, Judge Ruiz’s injunction is temporary. The college’s board can reconvene, issue a more specific public notice, and restart the transfer process legally.
“It is understood that the board can provide the reasonable disclosure and convey this property as they see fit,” the judge noted.
Still, the ruling is a symbolic and procedural victory for government transparency advocates—and a delay for Trump’s long-anticipated presidential library project in South Florida.
Miami Dade College’s legal team has indicated it plans to appeal, claiming the original notice met all statutory requirements.
Sources
The New York Times: Judge Temporarily Blocks Transfer of Miami Property for Trump Library
