Judge Halts Trump Administration Tree Removal at East Potomac Golf Course

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from removing trees at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. The ruling came after the government cut down hundreds of trees during a recent holiday weekend.

Reyes ordered the government to provide at least ten business days' written notice before any closure or irreversible modification to the park. She also required 24 hours' notice and a sworn declaration from a senior National Parks employee for any tree removal deemed an imminent threat.

“Rarely, if ever, has the United States Department of Justice urged a federal court not to believe the sitting President.”

The judge cited a 70-page ruling raising concerns that the redevelopment may have violated environmental laws. She expressed frustration over the disconnect between government lawyers' courtroom statements and President Trump's public announcements.

Trump plans to transform the 106-year-old public facility into an 18-hole championship course with architect Tom Fazio leading the redesign. The course is scheduled to close on November 15 for 15 months.

More than 400 trees were removed from East Potomac Golf Links before the pause. Reyes previously blocked further tree removal through October 26 and required three business days' notice for modifications.

The hearing will examine whether the government complied with the order halting construction. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward was asked to attend a hearing on Friday or Monday.

Reyes wrote that it is rare for the Justice Department to urge a court not to believe the sitting President.