A federal judge halted tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links on Monday after National Park Service crews felled hundreds of trees over the weekend at the historic Washington, D.C. course that President Donald Trump has proposed turning into a championship venue. U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the Trump administration to stop all tree cutting until 7 a.m. Tuesday, writing that the plaintiffs — the D.C. Preservation League and two golfers — were likely to suffer "immediate and irreparable harm" and that the removal of hundreds of trees "is permanent."
What the judge ordered
Reyes issued the order ahead of an emergency hearing Monday morning, directing the government to halt "all tree removal" at the course. She made clear that "tree removal for routine maintenance is not exempt from this order." The halt is limited to 24 hours but could be extended to 14 days — the length of the restraining order the plaintiffs seek. She also ordered Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, to answer questions about the timeline of the removals and who approved the work, with a further hearing set for Tuesday morning.
A tense hearing over the weekend's tree felling
The ruling followed a tense three-hour hearing in which Reyes rebuked the administration. "I am thoroughly unamused right now," she said, adding: "I have given the government every single benefit of the doubt that it would not do precisely what it has done." Back in May she had told the Justice Department it must notify the court before removing more than 10 trees; when DOJ lawyers said they were unaware of the weekend plans, she answered: "Ignorance is not an excuse."
The plaintiffs contend crews felled 529 trees in a single day, stopping only when Sunday's rain halted the chainsaws; the administration told the court it removed 430 trees. NPS had said it would cut 500 trees "that do not contribute to the historic landscape," with a Friday declaration listing 169 trees for Saturday and 90 more later.
What each side says
The Interior Department defended the work. The National Park Service said it "recognizes the importance of trees" and that the work was part of its "required stewardship" — restoring the course's historic character and reopening views of nearby landmarks. Griess swore the work "is not a renovation or redesign of the Golf Course" and that no healthy cherry trees would be cut.
The plaintiffs, by contrast, argue the administration undercounted the trees marked for removal and is moving ahead with Trump's plans despite a pending lawsuit. They have asked the court to require three business days' written notice before any irreversible changes to the course.
The bigger fight over the course's future
East Potomac Golf Links is a century-old public course where Trump has proposed building a world-class venue, visiting with a cabinet member, a noted golf course architect, and blueprints. Some residents fear the changes would alter a place that has served Washingtonians of all income levels for more than a century — and that an upscale championship course would mean higher fees and a loss of public space.
For now, the pause gives the court time to weigh the 14-day restraining order request. With Tuesday's hearing set, the fate of the remaining trees stays in the judge's hands.
Watch: "Upset and furious": Judge scolds DOJ over East Potomac Golf Course tree cutting — The Hill's report on Judge Reyes rebuking Trump administration lawyers after hundreds of trees were cut over the weekend.
Music in this post's reel: Kevin MacLeod - Lightless Dawn (incompetech.com), licensed under CC BY 3.0
Sources
- The Guardian: Judge halts tree removal at Washington golf course Trump eyes for expansion
- Washington Examiner: Judge mandates pause on tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links after over 500 cut down
- AP (via TMJ4): Federal judge orders Trump to halt work on historic DC golf course
- QNC News: Judge Blocks Tree Removal at DC Golf Course Trump Wants to Overhaul