Federal judge halts tree removal at East Potomac Golf Course

Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary order on Monday to stop the Trump administration from cutting down additional trees at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C. The ruling temporarily blocks the government's renewal plans for the public course while litigation continues.

The court order mandates that the administration provide written notice ten days in advance before making any irreversible modifications to the structure or characteristics of the golf course. Reyes stated that the government had failed to meet this standard by cutting at least 400 trees over a recent holiday weekend with little prior warning to the plaintiffs.

Reyes, who was nominated to the bench by former President Joe Biden, expressed surprise that the government asked the court to ignore sworn statements from acting President Donald Trump regarding the renovation plans. She noted that the case began as a dispute over golf but had become more complex as the court had to reconcile the president's claims with sworn testimony from government employees and arguments from Department of Justice attorneys.

The judge wrote that the court is not speaking on behalf of the trees, but on behalf of the rule of law. She recalled a previous statement in the case where the court declared it was not the Lorax and did not speak for the trees. Reyes said the government forced her hand by proceeding with tree removal without adequate notice.

The renovation project is part of a wider effort by the Republican administration to alter the historic landscape of the capital. Previous plans include constructing a large ballroom in the White House, erecting a monumental arch, and adding the president's name to the Kennedy Center.

The lawsuit was filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers. On October 18, Trump announced on social media that the course would close for 15 months starting November 15 for renovation. The following day, he posted that work would begin immediately despite the pending legal challenge.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs along with the DC Preservation League, called the ruling a major victory. She said in an email that the measure will suspend activities while the case continues and that the group is eager to present its arguments in court.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling. Reyes also denied the government's motion to recuse her from the case after they questioned her impartiality during an emergency hearing.