Judge pauses tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links

A federal judge temporarily barred further tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links on Monday and sharply criticized the government’s handling of notice after hundreds of trees were cut down at the Washington course over the weekend. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the Justice Department had lost credibility with her in the case, which challenges the Trump administration’s plans for the public golf course. She extended a temporary restriction on additional cutting through Tuesday morning and indicated she intended to keep the pause in place longer. One account of the hearing specified the order would run until 2 p.m. Tuesday. Reyes also said she would require the government to give three days’ notice before taking further action at the course. The court had previously sought advance notice of major work. The administration informed the court on Friday that tree removal would begin Saturday, and crews cut trees over the weekend. The precise number removed has not been established. A National Park Service filing described a plan to remove an estimated 529 trees. The D.C. Preservation League and golfers suing over the project said all 529 were cut Saturday.