Judge Halts D.C. Golf Course Tree Removal After Government Dispute

A federal judge on Monday halted tree removal at East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C., after the Trump administration cut hundreds of trees over the weekend without the advance notice she expected during ongoing litigation. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued the temporary order while reviewing a longer-term decision.

Reyes criticized the government after the National Park Service removed 430 trees, fewer than the planned 529 because heavy rain affected the work. The agency said the project was part of a tree management and cultural landscape rehabilitation effort, not a golf course redesign.

The National Park Service notified the court at 4:55 p.m. Friday before the planned removal began Saturday, according to testimony. Reyes had previously requested notice before major work, including removal of more than 10 trees, while the lawsuit remained pending.

"I am just beyond disappointed in the government. I have done everything humanly possible to give the government the benefit of the doubt in this case. I have done it for months," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

Reyes blocked additional tree removal until at least Tuesday afternoon as she considered further action. She said the government needed a court order because she was concerned about additional work continuing.

"I have no faith that the government is not going to cut them down unless there’s an order in place not to do so," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

"Now we’re all going to have a massive fire drill because the government can’t be trusted," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

The National Park Service described the removal plan in a court filing. Superintendent Kevin Griess said the work would restore the park to its historic links golf course condition and was separate from any future renovation plans.

"The planned tree management and cultural landscape rehabilitation project is not a renovation or redesign of the Golf Course, is not a part of any potential project to redesign or renovate the Golf Course, and would be carried out irrespective of any future renovation or redesign," wrote National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Kevin Griess.

The coalition suing the administration, including a historic preservation group and local golfers, filed an emergency motion after the weekend work. The filing said hundreds more trees could be removed if the court did not intervene.

"Defendants took down 529 trees in one day. They have acknowledged they intend to take hundreds more. Left unchecked, Defendants are moving rapidly toward precisely the fait accompli this Court has reportedly admonished against," the coalition wrote in its motion.

During the emergency hearing, Reyes questioned government lawyers about why the removal happened before the court could respond. She said she had relied on assurances that officials would provide notice.

"There is no excuse for this and you know why I’m furious right now," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

Reyes said she had repeatedly trusted officials not to proceed without proper communication. She continued questioning why the government acted after a plan that officials said had existed since 2019.

"I was hearing from everyone on plaintiff’s side that this was going to happen and I said ‘no’ repeatedly, ‘I trust the government.’ I trusted you all repeatedly to not do what you have done," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

"I’m just at a total loss to understand what has happened here," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

Government attorney Marissa Piropato told Reyes officials had done their best to notify the court. Reyes rejected that explanation during the hearing.

"No you did not. You did not do your best. You did your absolute worst," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

Griess testified that his staff developed the tree management plan on Oct. 5 and began preparing the court declaration on Oct. 9. He said part of the removal was tied to historic restoration goals.

"about restoration of the park to its original historic state of the links golf course," said National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Kevin Griess.

Griess also testified he was not aware of President Donald Trump’s specific plans for the golf course beyond public announcements. Reyes questioned National Park Service Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands about whether there was an urgent reason for the work.

"I’m not aware of the president’s plan for the golf course," said National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Kevin Griess.

"other than this was the express preference," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

"I’m not aware of any reason," said National Park Service Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands.

Reyes also challenged the timing of the removal, noting the plan had existed for years. The East Potomac Golf Course opened in 1920 and has been part of the dispute over proposed changes to the public facility.

"This has been a plan since 2019. Why did it have to happen Saturday?" said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.

"Here’s the thing, counsel, there are American citizens who are deeply concerned with the actions of the government. And I have repeatedly, on the record, said don’t be concerned. I trust the government," said U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.