About 100 Protest Near Medinah Country Club Ahead Of Trump’s Presidents Cup Appearance

About 100 demonstrators gathered near the intersection of Medinah Road and Irving Park Road in DuPage County on September 24, staging a protest ahead of President Donald J. Trump's expected appearance at the Presidents Cup final round on September 27 at Medinah Country Club.

Protesters' Demands And Issues

Cristóbal Cavazos helped lead the demonstration, telling reporters that organizers want Trump expelled from Illinois, are calling for his impeachment and are urging legal status for undocumented immigrants. Protesters carried signs and chanted while play continued at the nearby course.

Immigration enforcement was a central focus of the rally. Organizers linked the president’s visit to Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration campaign launched in Illinois on September 8, 2025, that officials say led to thousands of arrests and deportations in the Chicago area. Federal authorities described the initiative as routine enforcement, while critics condemned its tactics and effects on immigrant communities.

Demonstrators also criticized U.S. military and diplomatic actions involving Iran. President Trump defended the administration's approach during his September 2026 United Nations address, saying the steps taken served U.S. security interests; opponents at the rally said they disagreed with that assessment.

Trump, The Presidents Cup And Security Plans

President Trump accepted the role of honorary chairman for the 2026 Presidents Cup on August 29. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said the invitation continued the tournament's leadership tradition. This marks Trump's second time serving as honorary chairman; he previously held the role in 2017 at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.

Organizers expected the president to attend the final round on Sunday, September 27. The published schedule lists 12 singles matches for that day; gates open at 9:00 AM and play is set to begin at 11:02 AM. Trump said he accepted the appearance at the PGA Tour's request and planned to greet players from both teams. Detailed movements remain limited because presidential travel requires extensive security coordination.

The United States Secret Service began coordinating security well ahead of the visit with the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, PGA Tour personnel and other law enforcement agencies. Special Agent Derek Mayer warned presidential travel could tighten traffic around Medinah and briefly affect aviation; tournament organizers advised attendees to allow extra time for travel.

Competition And Local Impact

The Presidents Cup pits 12 United States golfers against 12 international players (outside Europe). The 2026 tournament at Medinah is the 16th edition, with practice days on September 22 and 23 and competition running from September 24 through September 27. After the opening day of fourball matches, the United States led 3-2.

Medinah Country Club, located roughly 25 miles west of downtown Chicago, is hosting its first Presidents Cup. Course No. 3 previously staged the 2012 Ryder Cup and several major championships; Medinah's championship resume also includes the 2019 BMW Championship, the 1988 U.S. Senior Open and three Western Opens. Organizers estimated the event could generate about $175 million in local economic activity and expected more than 30,000 spectators per day. Preparations included three and a half years of infrastructure, seating and hospitality upgrades.

Local Reaction

Several suburban Republican organizations said they would not mount counterprotests. DuPage County Republican Chairman Kevin Coyne said local businesses wanted the tournament to proceed without disruptions that might affect visitors, and while individual Trump supporters could appear, his group was not organizing an on-site event.

Political demonstrations remained separate from tournament play as law enforcement, organizers and spectators prepared for the president's expected attendance during the final round. Golf competition continued as scheduled through September 27.