Judge blocks tree removal at historic East Potomac golf course until late October

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued an order on Tuesday halting tree-cutting at the East Potomac golf course in Washington, D.C., until Oct. 26. The ruling also mandates that the government provide the court and plaintiffs with three business days' written notice before making any irreversible changes to the course's permanent features.

Reyes imposed the pause after a three-hour hearing in which she said the government had misled the court about the timing of the work over the holiday weekend. The initial order limited the halt to 24 hours but could be extended to 14 days if necessary, giving officials time to identify a senior Trump administration official to explain the need for the extensive tree removal.

The president has proposed converting the historic course into a world-class golf venue, a plan that has drawn concern from local residents. Critics argue that the redevelopment could increase fees and reduce public access to a park that has served Washingtonians of all income levels for more than a century.

"The government must provide the court and plaintiffs three business days’ written advance notice prior to making any irreparable modification to any permanent form or feature of the East Potomac golf course," the judge wrote.

The order adds to a series of actions by the administration aimed at reshaping parts of the capital city since the start of the second presidential term in early 2025.