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Federal judge presses administration over East Potomac golf course plans and tree removal
A federal judge sharply questioned administration lawyers about President Donald Trump’s plans to redevelop East Potomac Golf Links, after hundreds of trees were cut despite court oversight. The dispute centers on the future of a historic public course and nearby recreation area.
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Monday challenged the Trump administration’s account of plans to overhaul East Potomac Golf Links, questioning whether government lawyers had misled the court as President Donald Trump publicly promoted a major redesign of the historic Washington golf course.
U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes asked attorneys to explain why Trump described a detailed renovation plan while the administration had told the court the project remained under review. “Do I believe the president of the United States or do I believe you?” Reyes asked. The hearing ended without a ruling.
Trump has proposed combining the course’s three existing layouts into one championship-style course. The East Potomac facility sits on a peninsula between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel and is part of a park used by golfers as well as cyclists, runners, anglers and picnickers.
The courtroom dispute follows the removal of hundreds of trees. In May, Reyes ordered the administration to give notice before substantial construction, including removal of more than 10 trees. On Oct. 9, officials told the court they intended to remove as many as 529 trees in phases. Tree cutting began the following day. After an emergency hearing last week, Reyes ordered a 24-hour pause, saying the government had not provided sufficient advance notice and rejecting the characterization of the work as routine maintenance.
The legal challenge was filed in February by a D.C. preservation organization and two individuals against the Interior Department and National Park Service. The plaintiffs argue the proposed changes exceed an existing preservation plan and could make tee times more expensive at a course intended to be open to everyone.
The administration has said the work follows a 2019 preservation plan. That plan recommends removing invasive plants that do not contribute to the historic landscape; plaintiffs say it does not support removing healthy native trees.
East Potomac’s century-old golf links have historic significance beyond recreation: the course was among the first public courses in the country to be desegregated. Reyes described the park as a protected historic landmark with deep meaning for District residents.
The White House asked Reyes on Friday to recuse herself, alleging bias. She declined. Trump had attacked the judge on social media and said work was scheduled to begin immediately, while Justice Department lawyers had told the court the plan was not final because the Park Service had not completed its review.