Federal Judge Orders Halt to East Potomac Park Tree Removal

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary injunction on Monday to stop the federal government from cutting or damaging trees at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. The ruling temporarily blocks further alterations to the municipal golf course while a legal battle over its redevelopment proceeds.

The court order requires the government to provide at least ten business days of written notice before closing any part of the park or making irreversible changes. The judge extended a previous two-week halt on tree removal, citing the administration's failure to adhere to court expectations during recent hearings.

The legal dispute escalated after the government removed 430 trees from the course with less than 24 hours notice. This action prompted lengthy hearings where government officials testified that the clearing was unrelated to the championship golf course renovations President Trump announced on social media. Officials stated there was no final plan for the renovations, a position that conflicted with the president's posts from the same morning.

Judge Reyes criticized these contradictions in her 70-page opinion. She wrote that the Department of Justice rarely urges a court not to believe the sitting president, yet the administration's sworn testimony clashed with the president's public statements. The judge determined that a renovation plan, referred to by plaintiffs as the Washington National Plan, existed well before October 15, 2026, despite the administration's denials.

The case was brought by the D.C. Preservation League and two local golfers. Skye Perryman, president of the nonprofit Democracy Forward which represents the plaintiffs, said the group is grateful the court intervened. She stated the organization is eager to argue the case further in court. The ruling supports a grassroots movement seeking to protect the recreational area used by runners, cyclists, and birders.

President Trump posted on Truth Social late Monday that the Department of the Interior would appeal the decision. He reiterated that construction would begin on November 15 and that the park would remain closed for 15 months. Trump argued that the judge has no right to hold up the project and questioned the need for advanced notices to a judge without expertise in golf, architecture, or landscaping.

The judge noted that administration lawyers initially acknowledged major renovations would require federal environmental and historic preservation reviews. Later, they argued the Administrative Procedure Act did not apply. Reyes rejected this shift in position, stating parties cannot change course when the evidence suits them. She also found that the Interior Department likely violated the National Environmental Protection Act by segmenting its review of the plan's environmental effects.

The proposed redesign combines the park's three existing courses into a single championship venue that covers the entire peninsula. Trump said the new course will host events like the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup while remaining open to the public at reduced rates for D.C. residents.