Federal Judge Blocks Tree Removal at East Potomac Golf Course

A federal judge has put a stop to further tree removals at the historic East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C. This ruling came on Monday and was based on concerns that the administration’s forestry goals were merely a cover for President Donald Trump’s intention to turn the public course into a championship golf venue.

The 70-page decision from U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, appointed by President Biden, reveals a striking disconnect between Trump’s public statements regarding the golf course and the Justice Department’s (DOJ) efforts to distance itself from those claims during legal proceedings. The administration had argued that the project was still in an informal planning stage. (RELATED: Claims of Unlawful Termination by Trump Admin Found Valid by Judge)

Reyes pointed out that it’s quite rare for the DOJ to ask a federal court not to trust the sitting president, emphasizing the unusual nature of the situation. She stated: “Not to believe what the President has repeatedly told the American public. And yet, here we are.”

Work on the course started in October 2025, initially involving soil and debris from White House renovations. By May 2026, a “surge workforce” had begun to clear dead, dying, and invasive trees as part of a beautification effort. This escalated on October 10, 2026, when nearly 430 healthy mature trees were cut down just hours after notifying the court.

Organizations like the DC Preservation League claimed the Trump administration was seriously damaging a historic site by transforming a family-friendly golf course into a high-end tournament venue, bypassing necessary regulations.

To prevent a preliminary injunction, the DOJ maintained for months that the court should not interfere, as there was no finalized plan and the project was merely in an informal phase. But then, Trump took to Truth Social.

On October 18, he revealed plans for a “World Class Championship Golf Course,” claiming it would be accessible to the public while also hosting high-profile tournaments like the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup.

Trump asserted that the project would generate jobs and enhance the local economy, also highlighting the poor condition of the current course, while predicting completion in 15 months. He even shared a visual representation of the proposed design and announced that restoration work would commence on November 15.

However, by the following morning, he hastily changed the start date to “begin IMMEDIATELY!”

Trump criticized the plaintiffs, questioning their standing, and argued that the Department of the Interior had every right to overhaul the golf course. Judge Reyes, whom Trump referred to disparagingly, pointed out that the claims made by the president conflicted with those of the DOJ.

The judge has instructed the government to justify why it should not be mandated to preserve all records and communications related to the project and tree removal by Wednesday. An appeal to the injunction is anticipated as the broader lawsuit moves forward.