A Florida judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking the transfer of a prime downtown Miami property intended as the future site of the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library, following a legal challenge by a local historian who argues the deal violates public trust and state law.
Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz ruled Tuesday that Miami Dade College failed to provide adequate public notice before its board voted to hand over the 2.63-acre parcel to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation, a nonprofit run by the president’s family. Ruiz insisted her decision was based strictly on procedural grounds — not politics.
“This is not an easy decision,” Ruiz said from the bench. “This is not a case, at least for this court, rooted in politics.”
The ruling halts any movement on the project until the case can be further litigated.
The Property in Question
The land sits on Biscayne Boulevard, adjacent to Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus and the iconic Freedom Tower, a symbol of liberty and Cuban exile history. Currently used as an employee parking lot, the site offers stunning waterfront views and is surrounded by luxury high-rises, facing the Kaseya Center and Dodge Island.
Though appraised at $66 million, reports suggest the property’s market value could exceed $360 million.
Legal Challenge from Miami Historian
The lawsuit was filed by Dr. Marvin Dunn, a retired Florida International University professor, military veteran, and longtime civil rights activist. Dunn argues that transferring educational land to a political nonprofit violates Florida’s constitutional protections for public education assets and the Sunshine Law, which mandates open and transparent governance.
“Miami Dade College is a public educational institution, not a political enterprise,” the lawsuit states. “It must not become the custodian of any former president’s personal monument.”
Dunn, a registered Democrat who once briefly ran for the Florida House, organized a protest against the land transfer last month. He has previously criticized Trump for what he called a degradation of “civility and decency in American society.”
Disputed Transparency
Attorneys for the college maintain that all legal requirements were followed, though the court was unconvinced.
At the heart of the procedural controversy is the September 23 meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees. While the agenda noted a property transfer discussion, it didn’t specify which parcel was being considered or that it involved a presidential library. Additionally, the early 8 a.m. session was not livestreamed, unlike other meetings throughout the year.
A week later, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet — all Republicans — voted to transfer the property to a state trust and then to the Trump Foundation. Critics argue the process was rushed and opaque.
Eric Trump Responds
Eric Trump, one of three trustees of the Trump Presidential Library Foundation, previously hailed the site as ideal for a legacy-defining monument to his father.
“It’s going to be one of the most beautiful buildings ever built,” he said, adding it would stand in contrast to Barack Obama’s presidential center in Chicago.
The library, he claimed, will feature exhibitions, a digital archive, and programming meant to preserve and promote the 45th and 47th president’s legacy.
Politics or Procedure?
Opponents argue that transferring valuable public land for what amounts to a political monument — particularly without detailed public notice — violates both state law and ethical norms.
Jesus Suarez, an attorney for Miami Dade College, suggested that Dunn’s political affiliations are influencing the suit.
“There is no requirement under Florida law that there be specificity on notice,” Suarez said. “Trustees can come into that room and talk about whatever they wish.”
But Judge Ruiz disagreed, saying that “reasonable notice” must still be provided, especially when public land and political interests intersect.
The injunction halts the property transfer for now, giving Dunn and his legal team more time to build their case. A full hearing is expected in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the future of the Trump Presidential Library in Miami remains uncertain.
READ NEXT: Biden Struggling To Raise The Funds For Presidential Library
I get the procedural issue, but I totally disagree that a Presidential museum is political. I grew up going to the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum. It’s a historical educational center on his administration as well as other unrelated historical exhibits. ALL museums are historical, educational institutions. Presidential museums will include some political exhibits, of course, but that’s part of HISTORY!
Dunn should realize that while his objection is political, the purpose of a Presidential Library is historical, not political. But he’s a Democrat, so what can you say?