Judge explodes at Trump admin lawyers after hundreds of trees felled at DC public golf course
Judge Ana Reyes sharply questioned Trump administration lawyers at a lengthy hearing Monday about who authorized the tree removal at a public golf course in Washington, D.C.
A Justice Department lawyer told the court that 430 trees had been cut over the weekend. The government had notified the plaintiffs on Friday afternoon that tree work was planned during the Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day holiday period.
The D.C. Preservation League is suing over President Donald Trump’s effort to prepare the course to host professional tournaments. Government attorneys had earlier promised to alert the plaintiffs to actions that could cause irreversible harm.
Officials said the cutting followed a plan established in 2019 to remove dead, deteriorating and hazardous trees. Lawyers also worked to find National Park Service staff who could testify remotely under oath.
Reyes said the government’s late notice and the scale of the work troubled her, noting that she had previously said even the removal of 10 trees should not happen without notice. The hearing focused on who within the administration ordered the work; the article does not report a ruling.
Key points
- A Justice Department attorney said 430 trees were removed during the holiday weekend.
- The D.C. Preservation League’s lawsuit concerns plans to prepare the course for professional tournaments.
- Government officials said the work followed a 2019 plan to remove hazardous trees.