Judge orders 24-hour halt to tree-cutting at East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, DC

US District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a 24-hour halt to tree-cutting at Washington, DC’s East Potomac Golf Course after a tense hearing over government actions during a holiday weekend. The judge criticised the government’s lack of notice to plaintiffs and the court in a lawsuit challenging renovation plans, and said the pause could be extended.

A U.S. District Judge ordered a brief stop to tree removal at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, DC. Judge Ana Reyes issued a 24-hour pause on Monday after an emergency court session. The case involves renovation plans linked to President Donald Trump’s wider changes in the city. The pause could later last up to 14 days.

Reyes said the government gave little notice before work began over the holiday weekend. The judge questioned why the tree-cutting needed to happen then. Reyes also said the court and plaintiffs were not properly informed. The judge said the short halt allowed time to find a key official for answers.

East Potomac Golf Course tree-cutting halted after tense hearing

The order followed a three-hour hearing that became heated. Reyes said the government had misled the court with its conduct during the weekend. Reyes has earlier denied repeated requests to stop work. Reyes cited concern that projects could proceed despite court review. The judge described the problem as worsening trust between courts and officials.

Reyes opened with sharp remarks lasting about 15 minutes. Reyes said, “I am thoroughly unamused right now.\” Reyes also said, \”I do not know how I could have made it any plainer that I did not want what was to happen, to happen.\” Reyes added, \”I have given the government every single benefit of the doubt that it would not do precisely what it has done.\”

Reyes also addressed government lawyers directly during the session. Reyes told them, \”I wanted you all to be better than you have been.\” The emergency hearing took place on a holiday. It expanded as Reyes required several decision-makers to join remotely. Reyes sought clearer details on who approved the timing and why.

East Potomac Golf Course officials questioned on timeline and authority

Reyes said another hearing is planned for Tuesday. Reyes wants to hear from Greg Wischer, deputy chief of staff at the Interior Department. Testimony said Wischer argued for urgent action. Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the National Park Service, described Wischer’s role during questioning in court.

Reyes and plaintiffs attorney Abbe Lowell asked about the timeline and chain of command. They also raised questions about what each witness knew about other administration plans. The court focused on how decisions were communicated. It also reviewed whether the plaintiffs received fair warning before the holiday work started.

Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, pointed to a 2019 National Park Service Cultural Landscape Report. Griess said the report guided the work at the site. Lands said the project connected to Trump’s 2025 order to make DC safe and beautiful. Lands later accepted that other golf courses were mentioned too.

Under Reyes’s questioning, Lands said there were no talks about work at other courses. That point added to the court’s concern over the sudden focus on East Potomac. Reyes said the one-day limit was meant to support quick fact-finding. The judge left open whether a longer pause could be needed after more testimony.

With inputs from PTI