Judge Reyes Halts East Potomac Tree Removal
More than being upset and furious right now, I am just deeply disappointed in the government,
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes told government lawyers during an emergency hearing on Oct. 12, 2026. The federal court action followed the unannounced felling of 430 trees at the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., by dozens of National Park Service workers on Oct. 10, 2026, despite ongoing litigation to block the project.
The sudden clearing operation caught litigants off guard after the government sent notification on Oct. 9 at 4:55 p.m., just hours before heavy machinery arrived on site. Judge Reyes ordered a temporary halt to further removal of trees until 2 p.m. Oct. 13, threatening contempt of court if the administration fails to comply. The contested renovation is part of a broader federal initiative tied to Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order aimed at making DC safer and more beautiful.
Government Defense and Courtroom Clash
During the emergency hearing, Justice Department lawyer Marissa Piropato defended the timeline, telling Judge Reyes, We did our best
to gather details on the tree removal for court filings. Judge Reyes rejected the defense sharply, responding, You did your absolute worst
and questioning why legal counsel failed to alert opposing litigants days earlier given that no genuine emergency necessitated the rapid clearance.
This morning, a federal judge ordered a stop. Trump's administration must get court approval before cutting down more than 10 trees — with "serious consequences" for any effort to circumvent the court.Public land belongs to the people, NOT the president.https://t.co/87WzpzRigz https://t.co/brEG6rLH2h
Government officials testified that the tree-removal plan was finalized on Oct. 5, passed through environmental and legal reviews during the week, and formally approved on Oct. 9. Kevin Griess, superintendent of 1,000 acres of parks around the National Mall including the golf course, told the court he was dismayed at the condition of the course. Frank Lands, deputy director for operations of the National Park Service, testified by phone that the project moves forward under directives to complete the tree-cutting as soon as practical without interfering with golfers.
Contrasting Views on Course Safety and History
The administration maintained that the drastic clearance is a necessary safety and restoration measure. Donald Trump argued on social media in June 2026 that many trees on the public course were badly damaged from years of neglect, creating safety hazards from falling branches and enabling the facility to hold major golf events. The design philosophy stems from a 2019 study intended to restore the 1920s-era layout to a links-style course with wider views of the Potomac River.
Conversely, community litigants—including the DC Preservation League alongside golfers Dave Roberts and Alex Dickson—fought the changes to preserve an affordable public amenity cherished for its capital views. The courtroom proceedings highlighted a stark divide between federal restoration claims and public preservation concerns.
Court Deadlines and Upcoming Schedule
The immediate legal barrier remains in effect under strict judicial supervision. Judge Reyes scheduled further inquiries to question Greg Wischer, deputy chief of staff at the Department of the Interior, regarding how the tree removal plan was assembled in a week after seven years of inaction. The government plans to cut down about 300 more trees.
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