Judge halts East Potomac tree removal after NPS cuts 430 trees despite court notice
A federal judge halted tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links after the National Park Service cut 430 trees in a single day, violating prior court orders for advance notice. The move is part of a controversial redesign of the historic course into a professional golf venue.
Key points
- Judge Ana Reyes ordered a stop to all tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Links until at least 2 p.m. Tuesday, extending a temporary restraining order.
- The National Park Service (NPS) removed 430 trees on Saturday, despite filing notice with the court only 12 hours prior for 169 trees.
- NPS officials claimed the removal was based on a 2019 Cultural Landscape Report and deferred maintenance, not the Trump administration's proposed redesign.
- The D.C. Preservation League and two residents sued to stop the renovations, arguing the NPS violated court promises by failing to provide adequate notice.
- The NPS awarded a $390,000 contract to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin for environmental compliance and posted a $49 million construction contract for January 2027.
Background
East Potomac Golf Links, a 105-year-old municipal course, became a political flashpoint in spring 2026 when the Trump administration took control from the National Links Trust. The White House announced plans to convert the course into an 18-hole professional complex, sparking legal challenges from preservationists. Earlier reports in August and September noted minor tree removals, which the NPS framed as routine hazard management, but the scale of the October 10 removals escalated the dispute.
How outlets are covering it
WTOP and The Washington Post emphasize the legal breach, highlighting Judge Reyes's anger that the government violated her explicit requirement for advance notice. Golf Digest frames the event as a 'scorched earth' move by the administration, suggesting the initial notice for 169 trees was a 'Trojan Horse' to clear hundreds more. NPS officials, including Superintendent Kevin Griess, maintain the work was based on a 2019 plan for historical restoration and safety, not the controversial redesign, and claim they were unaware of the presidential vision for the course.
Why it matters
The ruling sets a precedent for federal compliance with court-ordered notice periods in environmental and historic preservation cases. It highlights the tension between executive-led infrastructure projects and judicial oversight, particularly regarding the use of public lands and the rights of preservation groups to intervene in rapid federal actions.
What to watch
The court will hear testimony from Greg Wisher, the deputy chief of staff for the Department of Interior, to determine the extent of the administration's involvement. The NPS must now provide three business days' notice before any future changes to the golf course. The $49 million construction contract is expected to be solicited on January 31, 2027, pending further legal outcomes.
- Federal judge ‘furious’ over lack of notice over tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Links WTOP News
- Judge halts tree removal at D.C. golf course that Trump has proposed overhauling The Washington Post
- 'Furious' judge says Trump DOJ lawyers 'cost' government 'all its credibility' in golf course case, floats contempt Yahoo
- Judge goes scorched earth after Trump Administration removes at least 430 trees from East Potomac in a single day Golf Digest
- Federal judge admonishes Trump administration over East Potomac Park tree removal The Hill
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