Judge Extends Ban on Tree Removal at Trump’s Planned East Potomac Golf Overhaul

A federal judge in Washington on Monday extended her order blocking the Trump administration from removing or damaging trees at East Potomac Golf Links, a publicly owned course beside the Potomac River. CBS News and NBC News reported that the preliminary injunction will stay in place while a lawsuit over President Trump’s plan to overhaul the course moves through court.

What did the judge order?

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a 70-page ruling, CBS News reported, that bars the government from removing or damaging any trees on the course during the case. NBC News said it also requires written notice 10 business days before the administration makes any irreparable change to features of East Potomac Park. CBS described the notice period as 10 days.

Reyes wrote that she is not the Lorax and does not speak for the trees, but only for the rule of law.

Why did the case end up in court?

The D.C. Preservation League sued, arguing that the government violated the National Environmental Policy Act by not analyzing the project’s impacts. Reyes found the group is likely to succeed in showing that the plans require an environmental review, according to CBS News.

She also rejected the government’s argument that the tree removals were routine maintenance unrelated to the renovation, finding they were part of Trump’s plan. CBS reported that she did not find credible the Interior Department deputy chief of staff, who had described the effort as cleaning up the course.

What happened to the trees?

The government cut down more than 400 trees over the Columbus Day holiday weekend, NBC News reported. In an earlier denial of a request that she step aside, Reyes wrote that the government had planned to remove over 500 healthy, non-invasive trees. She said it gave notice at 4:55 p.m. on the Friday of the holiday weekend, saying removal would begin within 15 hours, and that hundreds more would have been cut but for a rain delay.

After a seven-hour hearing this month, Reyes said she believed it was likely necessary to extend her pause on the demolition, because she had already found that the government acted in bad faith.

What is the dispute over the president’s statements?

Government lawyers have argued that it is too early to challenge the plans because no final decision has been made. Reyes said Trump’s public statements are hard to square with that position. NBC News reported her order displayed screenshots of Truth Social posts. In one on Oct. 18, Trump said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and an architect had developed a plan for a championship course starting Nov. 15. In another on Oct. 19, he said work would begin immediately and that workers needed no approval.

Reyes wrote that it is rare for the Justice Department to ask a federal court not to believe the sitting president, and that the case “started as a case about golf” but had become much more.

What does the administration say?

In a Truth Social post, Trump called the ruling unconstitutional, said the administration would appeal and said the government would still close the course on Nov. 15. He objected to giving advance notice to a judge he said lacks expertise in golf and construction, and argued the project is allowed as of right. CBS News said it had asked the Justice Department and the Interior Department for comment.

Earlier this month the administration asked Reyes to recuse herself, accusing her of open hostility toward the government. She declined and denied bias.

What does this mean for golfers and park users?

For now, the trees at the course are protected and any permanent changes to the park require advance notice. Trump had said the course would close for construction in November and reopen in 15 months, according to CBS. The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward, called the ruling a big win that protects the park from further irreparable harm and said her side is eager to argue the case in court.

What happens next?

Trump said the government will appeal. The lawsuit itself continues, and the injunction stays in force while it does.

Around Prague, based on reporting by CBS News, NBC News, ABC News