Despite the court's decision, Trump has not withdrawn his plans for the golf course (AP photos)
A US federal judge on Monday stopped President Donald Trump's administration from cutting down more trees at a historic Washington golf course, where at least 400 trees have already been removed as part of a planned renovation, news agencies reported.
In the order, US District Judge Ana Reyes also directed the government to give 10 business days' written notice before carrying out any other work that could permanently change the site. The decision comes as Trump prepares to close the 106-year-old East Potomac Golf Course for redevelopment, despite an ongoing legal challenge.The dispute has grown since workers removed hundreds of trees over a holiday weekend, with little warning to the people challenging the project, according to the Associated Press.
The DC Preservation League and two golfers took the administration to court, arguing that its plans could damage an important part of Washington's history. They also question whether the government had followed environmental laws while preparing the site for renovation.Trump, however, has made clear that he wants the work to go ahead. On October 18, he announced that the course would close for 15 months beginning November 15 and that the construction would start the following day.
Those announcements came while the court was already considering whether the government should be allowed to continue work at the site.The judge had earlier ordered a temporary halt to the project until at least October 26. Her latest decision keeps restrictions in place while the lawsuit continues.
How the removal of trees led to tougher restrictions
The disagreement over East Potomac Golf Course began months before the trees were cut. In February, the DC Preservation League filed a lawsuit challenging the administration's plans, raising concerns about environmental protection and the preservation of the historic property.For much of the case, Reyes had allowed the legal proceedings to continue without stopping the government's activities. She later explained that she had preferred the two sides to resolve their differences without additional court intervention.But the removal of at least 400 trees changed the situation. The work was carried out despite assurances that the government would not take such action. During an earlier hearing, Reyes strongly criticised the administration and described what had happened as "inexcusable".The latest order places two specific limits on the project. No additional trees can be removed or damaged, and the government must provide written notice before carrying out irreversible modifications to the course or its features.These restrictions will remain in effect while the lawsuit proceeds, unless the court changes them. The wider question of whether the renovation can legally proceed has not yet been settled.
Why the judge questioned the government's position
The court proceedings have also brought attention to differences between Trump's public announcements and the position taken by government lawyers.The president has repeatedly said that the renovation will proceed. According to Reuters, Justice Department lawyers asked Reyes to disregard Trump's public statements about the renovation when considering the case.The judge questioned that argument because the statements had come from the president whose administration was responsible for the project.She also pointed to the difficulty of examining the government's position when the president's announcements appeared to differ from sworn testimony given by government employees and arguments presented by Justice Department lawyers.Reyes wrote that the dispute had become about more than the future of a golf course. In explaining her responsibility, she said, "The Court still does not speak for the trees. It speaks only for the rule of law."The administration also tried to have Reyes removed from the case, accusing her of improper behaviour during an emergency hearing and questioning her impartiality. She rejected that request.
Trump's Truth Social post
Trump insists renovation will go ahead
Despite the court's decision, Trump has not withdrawn his plans for the golf course. Speaking to reporters late Monday, he criticised Reyes and said the administration would appeal.In a subsequent social media post, he repeated that the site would close on November 15.
He said the renovation was intended to improve safety, modernise the course, make it more competitive and improve its appearance. He also said the administration will appeal the court's decision.The golf course is not the only Washington landmark Trump wants to change. His administration has also proposed a large ballroom at the White House, a massive arch and a National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park.
These plans have also drawn legal challenges from trpreservation groups and other opponents.The organisations challenging the renovation welcomed the latest court order. Democracy Forward, which is helping represent the plaintiffs, said the decision would protect the park from further damage while the legal proceedings continue. Its president and CEO, Skye Perryman, said the group was ready to present its arguments in court.