Key facts
- US District Judge Ana Reyes expressed anger over the removal of approximately 500 trees at the East Potomac Golf Links.
- The tree removal began on Friday afternoon without advance notice to the DC Preservation League, which filed the lawsuit.
- Judge Reyes had previously demanded advance notice of any substantive construction work at the golf course.
- The DC Preservation League sued in February 2026, alleging the Trump administration was flouting environmental laws.
- The Justice Department is seeking to dismiss the litigation, arguing it is premature.
A US judge on Monday expressed significant anger and disappointment with Justice Department lawyers over their handling of a lawsuit concerning the Trump administration's plans for the East Potomac Golf Links. US District Judge Ana Reyes stated that the removal of approximately 500 trees from the historic golf course over the weekend was "inexcusable" and that the government had lost all credibility in the case.
Reyes told government lawyers during a court hearing that she was "furious" and "deeply disappointed" by their conduct, questioning how they could have thought the tree removal was acceptable given her previous demand for advance notice of any substantive construction work. The DC Preservation League, which filed the lawsuit in February 2026, alleges that the Trump administration is attempting to "irreparably destroy a priceless piece of American history" to convert the public space into an exclusive golf course.
The Justice Department had asked Judge Reyes on October 9 to dismiss the litigation, arguing that the proposed project was still in its early, conceptual stage. Lawyers for the DC Preservation League requested an emergency order on Sunday to block further tree removal, noting that over 500 trees had been removed on Saturday despite the judge's prior warnings of "serious consequences" for proceeding without notification. Reyes issued a temporary order on Sunday pausing tree removal until Tuesday morning and indicated on Monday that she intended to extend this block.
A National Park Service official, Kevin Griess, stated at the hearing that the tree removal was part of a 2019 plan predating Trump's renovation ambitions and was intended to improve safety and restore the park's original design.