Judge Halts D.C. Golf Course Tree Cutting After 430 Removed

A federal judge has temporarily stopped further tree cutting at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Course after a Justice Department lawyer said 430 trees had already been removed. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued an order lasting through October 26 as a dispute over the Trump administration’s planned overhaul of the public course moves into another hearing.

A Friday notice before Saturday cutting

The government filed notice shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, October 9, ahead of weekend tree removal. Preservation advocates challenging the redevelopment say that left little chance to seek court intervention before the work began.

At a heated Monday hearing, Reyes challenged the government’s handling of the notice and the scale of the work. A government lawyer acknowledged that 430 trees had been felled; challengers have asserted a higher count. The 430 figure comes from the government’s representation in court, not an independent survey of the site.

A temporary stop and questions for officials

Reyes ordered a halt to further cutting until October 26 and required three business days’ written notice before irreversible changes to permanent course features. The order does not decide the underlying lawsuit over the proposed redevelopment.

The court scheduled an October 19 hearing to examine the decision-making behind the work. National Park Service officials Kevin Griess and Frank Lands were ordered to testify, while acting National Park Service director Jessica Bowron and Interior Department official Gregory Wischer were directed to appear. The court will examine why work proceeded so quickly after the late notice.

References: Federal judge orders Trump administration to halt work on historic D.C. golf course until Oct. 26 | Judge chastises Justice Department lawyers after hundreds of trees cut down at D.C. golf course | After heated hearing, judge orders Trump officials to testify about tree removal