U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a temporary halt to tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Course, demanding testimony from NPS officials regarding the removal of hundreds of trees.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a 24-hour halt to tree cutting at the historic East Potomac golf course in Washington, D.C., on Monday. The order, issued ahead of an emergency hearing, requires the National Park Service (NPS) to stop all tree removal until at least Tuesday morning while the court decides on a request for a temporary restraining order.
Judge Reyes stated that the plaintiffs, including the D.C. Preservation League and two residents, are "likely to suffer immediate and irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief." She emphasized that "the removal of hundreds of trees from East Potomac golf course is permanent."
The judge expressed frustration over the lack of notice provided to the court and the plaintiffs. According to WTOP, Reyes said she was "furious" that the government went against its promises, noting that the administration gave only 12 hours' notice of the tree cutting on Friday. "I am thoroughly unamused right now. I do not know how I could have made it any plainer that I did not want what was to happen to happen," Reyes said at the start of the hearing. "Every single time, I have given the government the benefit of the doubt, and every single time I made absolutely clear that I wanted notice."
Reyes ordered Kevin Griess, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, to testify under oath about who ordered the work and the timeline for the removal. She also ordered Frank Lands, the NPS Deputy Director for Operations, to appear in court.
The legal dispute centers on the scope and purpose of the tree removals. The NPS stated in a court filing that more than 500 trees "that do not contribute to the historic landscape will be removed" as part of a rehabilitation project. The agency initially planned to remove 169 trees starting Saturday, Oct. 10, with another 90 slated for later removal.
However, sources report conflicting numbers regarding the trees cut down over the weekend. The Washington Examiner reported that the D.C. Preservation League claimed 529 trees were removed on Saturday, while the Trump administration stated during the hearing that 430 trees were removed. WTOP reported that Judge Reyes ordered testimony regarding the removal of 430 trees.
Griess testified that the agency used a 2019 Cultural Landscape Report as its guide and that the directive to manage potentially hazardous trees came from the office of Frank Lands in May. Griess stated he submitted a tree management plan on Oct. 5, which was approved by Acting Director Jessica Bowron the next day. He testified that he received notice through staff on Oct. 8 that they would proceed with cutting down trees.
"I am aware of what’s ever been posted on social media, other than that. But internally, professionally, I have seen no plan. I’ve been briefed on no plan," Griess said regarding President Donald Trump’s broader plans for the golf course.
The tree removals occur as President Trump moves to turn the course into a world-class golf venue. The plaintiffs argue that these actions are part of a plan to convert the public course into a championship-style venue, which they claim risks altering the character of a place that has served Washingtonians of all income levels for more than a century.
The Interior Department has defended the work, stating it is intended to restore the course's historic character and reopen views of nearby landmarks. In September, the NPS awarded a roughly $390,000 contract to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin for environmental and historic preservation compliance work. A projected construction contract worth up to $49 million has an expected solicitation date of Jan. 31, 2027.
Skye Perryman, president and chief executive of Democracy Forward, said in a statement reported by The Washington Post: "This is a tactic we’ve seen before from the Trump-Vance administration — act quickly to irrevocably alter a cherished national landmark, just to advance another one of President Trump’s pet vanity projects."
The halt highlights the tension between federal land management actions and judicial oversight in ongoing litigation. The case underscores the legal requirements for notice and environmental review when altering historic public spaces, particularly when such changes are linked to high-profile renovation projects. The outcome of the emergency hearing will determine whether the tree removals can proceed and how much authority the NPS retains while the broader renovation lawsuit is pending.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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