East Potomac Golf Links legal dispute
The gist
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a stop to tree-clearing at East Potomac Golf Links after crews felled more than 400 trees over a weekend.
The case tests how much court oversight applies as Trump pushes to remake the public course.
How it unfolded
- May 2026U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the administration to get court approval before cutting down more than 10 trees at the golf course.
- Oct 9, 2026Officials notified the court just before 5 p.m. of a plan to remove up to 529 trees in phases starting the next day; the National Park Service did not notify the court until 4:55 p.m.
- Oct 10, 2026Crews began cutting trees; at least 430 were razed by the end of the day, and more than 400 were cut down over the weekend.