Judge Blocks More Tree Clearing at East Potomac Golf Links

District Judge Ana Reyes issued a two-week injunction barring the National Parks Service from cutting more trees at the East Potomac Golf Links. The tree removal is part of a plan to convert the public course into an exclusive, high-end golf facility. Reyes criticized the administration for acting over a holiday weekend after giving late notice, saying the government had lost credibility.

The two-week injunction stops the National Parks Service from removing more trees at East Potomac Golf Links. It came after an emergency Monday hearing; crews had cut trees over the weekend. The government notified the court late Friday, before a holiday weekend. Judge Reyes said that violated her instruction to give advance notice of renovations. A Justice Department lawyer called the weekend work not a renovation, a claim Reyes rejected.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller criticized Reyes on social media, questioning judicial authority over golf course upkeep. The plan would convert the public links into an exclusive, high-end course. The article describes the ruling as another block on Trump's federal takeover of the Washington course.