Updated 8m ago · Politics
Judge Temporarily Halts Tree Removal at Trump's D.C. Golf Course
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting trees at East Potomac Golf Links. The order covers all tree removal, including routine maintenance.
- 529 trees: the government's stated maximum for removal at the course.
- 169 trees were slated to start coming down Saturday, the government filing said.
- 500-plus trees fell over the weekend, preservation groups say.
- Plaintiffs say crews arrived Saturday morning after a Friday 4:55 p.m. notice.
Why it matters: The DC Preservation League and two golfers are suing to stop Trump's plan to make the public course a championship-style venue. Reyes found they are likely to suffer "immediate and irreparable harm."
- Reyes has warned the government before against acting without notice.
- In May she barred cutting more than 10 trees without notice.
How 35 sources split on this story
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35 sources · 45 articles · 46% Left coverage
Where they split: The government says it is carrying out a 7-year-old maintenance plan, while plaintiffs say that claim covers for Trump's redesign without required environmental review.
Center9 sources
Yahoo News4hJudge blasts Trump's DOJ over 'inexcusable' tree removal at DC golf courseAssociated Press4hFederal judge orders Trump administration to halt work for a day on historic DC golf courseForbes6hTrump’s Tree Removal Plans Blocked After Abruptly Downing 500 At D.C. Golf Course Over WeekendNewsweek8hJudge screams at Trump officials for abruptly cutting down 500 trees in DCNOTUS8hJudge Says the Government Lost ‘Its Credibility’ By Cutting Down East Potomac Trees - The Washington SunPBS NewsHour3hFederal judge orders Trump administration to halt work for a day on historic D.C. golf courseThe Hill5hFederal judge admonishes Trump administration over East Potomac Park tree removalThe National Desk3hJudge temporarily halts tree cutting at DC's East Potomac golf courseUSA Today4hJudge 'furious' over Trump admin cutting down 430 trees at DC golf course
Left coverage, 16 sources: The left frames the cutting as a rushed holiday-weekend move on a landmark for what Democracy Forward calls a vanity project, with a judge demanding accountability.
Raw Story3hJudge ends hearing 'regretting' no punishment for Trump officials: 'Can't be trusted'The Independent4hFederal judge orders Trump administration to halt work for a day on historic DC golf courseAlterNet3hTrump official gloats at how Trump destroys public land for his golf coursesABC News11mJudge explodes at Trump admin lawyers after hundreds of trees felled at DC public golf courseCBS News4hJudge chastises Justice Department lawyers after hundreds of trees cut down at D.C. golf courseCNN6hJudge ‘furious’ as 430 trees are chopped down from golf course Trump wants to renovateLos Angeles Times4hFederal judge orders Trump administration to halt work for a day on historic D.C. golf courseMediaite8hTrump Lawyers Get a ‘Furious’ Earful From Judge in Golf Course Preservation Case: ‘Ignor ...MSNBC4h‘You did your absolute worst’: Judge blasts government after she says it defied her on DC golf course caseNBC News3hJudge tears into Trump administration for felling trees in D.C. golf course redesign without advance noticePolitical Wire9hJudge Halts Tree Removal at D.C. Golf CoursePolitico4h‘Furious’ judge halts Trump admin’s tree demolition at DC’s East Potomac golf courseRolling Stone5hJudge Tears Into Trump Admin. for Cutting Down D.C. Trees: ‘Beyond Upset and Furious’Salon2hJudge to Trump DOJ: You did 'your absolute worst' for a proposed golf courseThe New Republic8hJudge Throws Wrench in Trump’s Latest Rogue Construction PlansThe New York Times3hJudge Orders Trump Administration to Answer for Tree Removals at D.C. Golf Course
Right10 sources
Just the News3hFederal judge orders Trump administration to halt work for one day on historic DC public golf courseCitizen Free Press5hJudge is furious at Trump and DOJ, but she doesn’t understand golf course architecture — trees need to be removed.Daily Mail6hTrump's DC golf course makeover hit with major setback by irate judge after secret tree clearingNewsmax3hJudge Halts Tree Cutting at D.C. Golf Course After Hundreds FelledOutKick5hBiden-appointed judge with history of fiery Trump clashes erupts at DOJ: 'You've lost all credibility!'RedState11hTimber! Biden Judge Goes Berserk Over 500 Chopped Trees at Trump's DC Golf CourseThe Gateway Pundit37mNEW: Furious Biden Judge SCREAMS at Trump DOJ Lawyers After Admin Cuts Down Trees at DC’s East Potomac Golf Course, Orders Trump to Halt Project * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina LailaThe Right Scoop3hBOOM! Stephen Miller RESPONDS to 'furious' federal judge over Trump's DC golf course...The Washington Times9hJudge orders halt after Park Service cuts 500 trees at East Potomac Park in D.C.Washington Examiner8hJudge mandates pause on tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links
What’s next: Superintendent Kevin Griess must tell the court who ordered the removal and when he received the order.
- The government must also give a full timeline of the preparations.
- How many trees were actually removed: the filing's 169, or the 500-plus plaintiffs report?
- Who in the administration gave the order to begin cutting?
- Will Reyes impose the "serious consequences" she warned of in May?