Federal Judge Halts Tree Cutting at DC's East Potomac Golf Course, Accuses Trump Administration of Deceiving Court

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a 24-hour halt to tree-cutting at the historic East Potomac Golf Course after the Trump administration cut down at least 400 trees over the holiday weekend with little notice to plaintiffs or the court. Reyes began a tense three-hour hearing with a blistering 15-minute statement, accusing the government of deceiving her by moving ahead despite her repeated requests for advance notice. "I do not know how I could have made it any plainer that I did not want what was to happen, to happen," she said. The judge declared the government had lost all credibility, noting she had previously declined stop orders out of trust in its lawyers. The tree removal is part of President Trump's plan to transform the public course into a high-end venue, one of several Washington renovation projects proceeding without congressional approval. Reyes's order came after the Interior Department filed a court notice only minutes before the close of business on October 9, j...

“Every single time I have given the government the benefit of the doubt and every single time I made absolutely clear that I want notice. What has happened has cost the government all credibility with me.” — Judge Ana Reyes, during a tense three-hour hearing on the tree-cutting halt Quote verified against source