Judge blocks golf course tree removal, orders government to give notice before further changes

Court imposes new restrictions

Reyes issued the order Monday night, shortly before an earlier order was set to expire. It bars the government from removing trees from East Potomac Park and requires at least ten business days’ notice before a closure or irreversible change.

Judge cites tree cutting

The ruling followed the removal of hundreds of trees from the golf course over a holiday weekend. Reyes wrote that the government acted without meaningful notice, despite assurances that it would not proceed that way.

She also noted that two National Park Service officials had testified there was no urgency for the work. The court had previously asked the government to give notice before cutting more than ten trees and held a hearing to examine why that request had been disregarded.

Dispute over redevelopment plans

A coalition of preservationists and local golfers sued earlier this year, seeking to prevent changes to the course without adequate notice. The group also asked that it and the judge be notified if the government planned to close the facility.

Reyes found the plan sufficiently final at this stage of the case. She pointed to the president’s and secretary’s public statements, as well as the government’s actions, including the tree removal. Trump had announced plans to close and overhaul the course on Truth Social on the morning of a hearing.

Plaintiffs welcome ruling

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, called the decision a major win for protecting East Potomac Park while the case proceeds. She said the group looked forward to arguing the case in court.