Judge blocks tree cutting at Trump's planned D.C. golf course overhaul until October 26
In short
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes barred tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Course through October 26. The order follows the removal of 430 trees over the weekend and the judge's criticism of the Trump administration for providing little notice.
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U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to stop cutting trees at East Potomac Golf Course until October 26. The order extended a pause at the Washington, D.C., course, where President Donald Trump wants to carry out renovation plans that are being challenged in court. The Guardian also reported that Reyes now requires advance notice before changes to the course. [ 21 , 22 ]
The administration removed 430 trees on Saturday, according to CBS News and NBC News. At an emergency hearing Monday, Reyes criticized Justice Department lawyers for failing to provide sufficient warning. She said the government had lost credibility with her after the removals. NBC reported that government lawyers had assured the judge they would give ample warning before any irreversible actions at East Potomac Golf Links. [ 9 , 10 ]
Justice Department lawyer Marissa Piropato said the government had given notice in a court filing shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, with work beginning the next morning. Piropato told the judge the department had done its best to notify the court and the plaintiff, the DC Preservation League. Reyes rejected that explanation, saying the lawyers had done their absolute worst. [ 10 ]
Reyes required National Park Service officials to testify about the decision. CBS reported that Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, was ordered to testify under oath and that Frank Lands, the service's deputy director of operations, was also called to answer questions. The New York Times reported that the judge sought answers about who authorized the removal of hundreds of trees. [ 9 , 12 ]
An earlier order on Monday imposed a 24-hour halt to tree cutting. Reyes wrote that plaintiffs were likely to suffer immediate and irreparable harm without preliminary relief, and that removing hundreds of trees from the course was permanent. The October 13 ruling barred major modifications while the judge sought testimony from Interior Department officials about whether they had ignored a court order, according to The New York Times. [ 5 , 23 ]
Why it matters
The tree cutting took place while Trump's renovation plans were being challenged in court. Reyes said the removal of hundreds of trees was permanent and that plaintiffs were likely to suffer immediate and irreparable harm without preliminary relief.
Key facts
- Reyes ordered a halt to tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Course until October 26. [ 19 , 20 , 22 ]
- The administration removed 430 trees at the course on Saturday. [ 9 , 10 ]
- Trump wants to overhaul the public golf course, and his renovation plans face a court challenge. [ 3 , 10 ]
- A Justice Department lawyer said notice was given in a court filing shortly before 5 p.m. Friday. [ 10 ]
- Reyes questioned National Park Service officials about how the tree removal was arranged. [ 3 , 9 , 10 ]
- The October 13 ruling also required advance notice before changes to the course. [ 22 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Course was halted through October 26. [ 19 , 20 , 22 ]
- 430 trees were removed at the golf course. [ 9 , 10 ]
- Reyes criticized government lawyers for insufficient notice before the tree removal. [ 3 , 6 , 9 , 10 ]
- Trump's plans to renovate the course are being challenged in court. [ 3 , 10 , 14 ]
Still unclear
- Who authorized the removal and why it needed to occur over the holiday weekend. The reports describe Reyes seeking answers and testimony from government officials on these questions.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 12, NBC News reported that 430 trees had been removed after a Friday court filing and that Reyes temporarily barred further cutting. [ 10 ]
- On October 13, CBS News reported that Reyes blocked tree cutting through October 26. [ 20 ]
- On October 13, The Guardian reported the halt through October 26 and an advance-notice requirement for course changes. [ 22 ]