Judge questions Trump administration over golf course redevelopment

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

A federal judge has questioned the Trump administration's claims about tree-cutting at a Washington golf course that is temporarily blocked by court order.

A federal judge on Monday questioned the Trump administration's claims surrounding efforts to redevelop a historic Washington golf course. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes challenged the government's contention that a recent tree-cutting spree did not indicate work was moving forward on the project, which is temporarily blocked by a court order. The judge stated: "There is no universe in which all of this coincidentally happened all at the same time."

Reyes had last week ordered a halt to the golf course's redevelopment plans until at least 26 October after the government began large-scale tree removal over a holiday weekend with little notice to the court or plaintiffs. On Sunday, Trump announced on social media plans to close the golf course for 15 months starting 15 November and redevelop the 106-year-old park and course. He posted on Monday that work would start immediately.

Plaintiffs' attorneys challenging the renovation, including the D.C. Preservation League and two golfers, have asked the judge to extend the temporary halt. They argue the work is causing irreversible damage and would violate the congressional act that created the park. The hearing lasted more than five hours but ended with the judge taking no action.

How it is being reported

• Judge grills Trump administration over plans to overhaul Washington golf courseWASHINGTON — A federal judge on Monday questioned the Trump administration’s claims surrounding its efforts to redevelop a historic Washington golf course, challenging its contention that a recent tree-cutting spree did not indicate work was moving forward on the project, which is temporarily blocked by a court order.TribLIVE · 20 Oct, 01:44
• Judge grills Trump administration over plans to overhaul Washington golf coursePittsburgh Post-Gazette · 19 Oct, 21:12

In this story: Trump administration · Ana Reyes · D.C. Preservation League · Washington · Donald Trump

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