Judge blocks further work at Trump golf course after tree removal

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 00:57 · Archive

A federal judge has blocked further work at a Washington golf course after the Trump administration cut down at least 430 trees with minimal notice.

A federal judge blocked further work at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington on Monday after the Trump administration cut down at least 430 trees from the public golf course with minimal notice. During an emergency hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes told government lawyers they had lost 'credibility', saying they gave less than a day's notice before the removals began on Sunday. In May, Reyes had ordered that sufficient notice must be provided before cutting down more than 10 trees or doing other maintenance at the course.

The judge is overseeing a lawsuit by the DC Protection League and individuals seeking to block an overhaul of the course, which Trump has said he wants to convert into a professional facility. Community activists say the government is illegally redeveloping public land per Trump's wishes. The administration maintains that the removals implement a 2019 National Park Service landscape-restoration plan predating Trump's redesign proposal. Reyes has barred the National Park Service from cutting down any more trees or doing further work until at least Tuesday while she decides on a longer block. The proposed redevelopment could cost between £20 million and £49 million.

How it is being reported

• Judge scolds Trump administration after golf course tree removalA federal judge on Monday blasted the Trump administration after it chopped down at least 430 trees from a public golf course under litigation.UPI · 13 Oct, 00:35
• Biden-appointed judge with history of fiery Trump clashes erupts at DOJ: 'You've lost all credibility!'Judge Ana Reyes screamed at government lawyers over 430 trees cut down at East Potomac Golf Links, demanding answers about late Friday notification.Fox News · 12 Oct, 19:07

In this story: Ana Reyes · Donald Trump · East Potomac Golf Links · DC Protection League · National Park Service · Washington, D.C.

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