Judge Rebukes Trump Administration Over East Potomac Golf Renovation
U. S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes rebuked the Trump administration for moving ahead with a renovation of the historic East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D. C. , and ordered an immediate halt to any further tree removal, citing a prior court order.
President Donald Trump announced that the course would be closed for about 15 months and that work would start immediately, despite the judge’s pause. The Justice Department later filed a motion seeking the judge’s recusal, alleging bias against the administration. Earlier, Judge Reyes had extended a temporary restraining order through Oct. 26 after the administration cut down hundreds of trees without prior approval. The dispute began when the National Park Service announced plans to remove more than 500 trees as part of the renovation, prompting an initial emergency order halting the work.