A federal judge on Monday issued an emergency order halting further tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., after 529 trees were cut down over the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day weekend.
The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, prevents the Trump administration from removing additional trees until at least Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET, pending further court action. Reyes had previously instructed the government to notify her and plaintiffs before any significant tree removal, but officials filed notice just before 5 p.m. on Friday, October 9, shortly before the holiday weekend began.
Core Facts of the Order
- Judge Reyes extended a temporary restraining order blocking further tree removal until October 13 at 2 p.m. ET.
- The National Park Service confirmed removing 430 trees over the weekend, while preservation groups reported 529 trees were cut.
- Reyes had explicitly warned in May 2020 that she did not want more than 10 trees removed without prior notice.
Legal and Environmental Context
The dispute centers on the Trump administration’s plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links, a public course that the administration seeks to transform into a championship-level venue. The D.C. Preservation League, along with golfers Alex Dickson and Dave Roberts, filed a lawsuit arguing that the renovations violate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to assess environmental impacts before taking action.
During an emergency hearing on October 12, Reyes criticized the Justice Department for failing to provide timely notice. Justice Department attorney Marissa Piropato acknowledged that officials were aware of the tree-cutting plan as early as October 8 but did not file notice until late the following day. Reyes responded, “You did not do your best; you did your absolute worst.”
Government and Preservationist Positions
The National Park Service stated that the tree removal was part of a 2019 restoration plan aimed at restoring the course’s original landscape and improving safety. However, two Park Service officials testified that none of the removed trees were identified as hazardous, and there was no urgency to the work, according to reporting from The Washington Post.
The D.C. Preservation League and the plaintiffs argued that the tree removal was part of a broader effort to preempt legal challenges to the renovation project. They contended that the administration’s actions violated NEPA and the court’s prior instructions.
Judge’s Response and Next Steps
Reyes expressed frustration with the administration’s conduct, stating, “I trusted you all not to do precisely what you have done.” She also ordered the government to produce key officials, including Greg Wischer, for further testimony in a follow-up hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
The judge’s order allows for the temporary halt to be extended to 14 days if necessary, pending further review of the administration’s compliance with legal procedures.