After 400 Trees Cut, Judge Halts Trump’s DC Golf Course Tree-Cutting Until October 26/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ A federal judge ordered tree-cutting at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Course to stop until Oct. 26 after hundreds of trees were removed over the holiday weekend. Judge Ana Reyes criticized the government’s actions and required advance notice before further irreversible changes to permanent course features. The dispute concerns President Donald Trump’s plans to transform the historic public course into a major tournament venue.
Quick Look
- Court deadline: Tree-cutting is halted through Oct. 26.
- Trees removed: At least 400 were cut over the weekend, with several hundred more planned.
- Notice requirement: Officials must give the court and plaintiffs three business days’ written notice before irreversible modifications.
- Plaintiffs: The DC Preservation League and two individuals are challenging the renovation plans.
- Judge’s criticism: Reyes said the government had deceived her through its holiday-weekend actions.
- Trump’s proposal: He wants the course to host major golf championships.
Deep Look
Judge Extends Halt on East Potomac Tree-Cutting
WASHINGTON — U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered Tuesday that tree-cutting at East Potomac Golf Course remain suspended until Oct. 26.
The ruling extended a pause imposed after a tense three-hour hearing Monday, during which Reyes sharply criticized the government for actions she said had deceived her.
The historic public course is part of President Donald Trump’s broader plans to reshape Washington.
Holiday-Weekend Removal Prompts Emergency Court Action
The National Park Service ordered hundreds of trees removed after filing a court notification only minutes before business closed Friday, Oct. 9.
The timing, immediately before a holiday weekend, gave the plaintiffs and judge little opportunity to respond.
At least 400 trees were cut over the weekend. Plans called for several hundred additional removals.
The DC Preservation League and two individuals, who are suing to stop the renovation plans, sought court intervention.
Government Must Provide Advance Notice of Irreversible Changes
At Monday’s hearing, Reyes initially imposed a 24-hour pause that could be extended to 14 days.
The shorter initial period allowed the government to locate a key administration official to explain why extensive tree-cutting needed to occur over the holiday weekend with limited notice.
Reyes also directed that the government “must provide the court and plaintiffs three business days’ written advance notice prior to making any irreparable modification to any permanent form or feature of the East Potomac Golf Course.”
Tuesday’s order prolonged the tree-cutting suspension.
Trump Envisions Course Hosting Major Championships
Trump began discussing Washington’s public golf courses in late 2025.
He wants to transform East Potomac into a world-class venue capable of hosting leading professional tournaments.
“When completed, this Course will have the ability to host Major Golf Tournaments, including The U.S. Open, The Ryder Cup, The PGA Championship, and other top PGA Tour events,” Trump wrote on social media in June.
The proposed renovation accompanies other projects in his Washington agenda, including a $400 million White House ballroom and planned construction of a triumphal arch.
Earlier Hearings Ended Without Temporary Stop Orders
The course has already been the subject of multiple emergency hearings.
One took place in May while Reyes was outside the country, amid concerns that officials would proceed with work despite the ongoing lawsuit.
At those earlier hearings, Reyes declined to issue temporary stop orders, relying on assurances from the government’s attorney.
The weekend tree removal prompted the latest hearing and the extended halt announced Tuesday.
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