A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s work at East Potomac Park, a municipal golf course in Washington, D.C. The legal action came after the government removed 430 trees from the property with minimal advance warning, sparking intense court proceedings. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked any further alterations to trees or park infrastructure without court authorization and required the government to provide at least ten business days’ written notice before making irreversible changes.
The case centers on a significant discrepancy between statements made by President Trump on social media and testimony provided by government officials in court. Trump announced on the morning of a hearing that construction would begin on the golf course “immediately,” but hours later, Department of Interior and National Park Service officials testified under oath that no final renovation plan existed. Judge Reyes noted the unusual situation in her 70-page ruling, writing that the Department of Justice urged the court not to believe the sitting president’s own posts.
The lawsuit was brought by the D.C. Preservation League, local golfers, and Democracy Forward, a nonprofit organization representing the plaintiffs. Reyes’ decision represents a significant setback for the administration’s plans to transform the course into a championship-level venue. The judge stated she was not interested in policing landscaping decisions but felt compelled to intervene after the government’s assurances about not making unannounced alterations were contradicted by its actions.
Following the ruling, Trump announced through social media that the Department of Interior will appeal the decision. He reiterated his intention to close the park and begin construction on November 15, maintaining that the court lacks the expertise to oversee such a project. Judge Reyes subsequently requested clarification from the government about whether it intends to proceed with closing the park in mid-November and scheduled a status hearing to address the administration’s social media statements regarding the proposed timeline.
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