Judge halts tree cutting at a D.C. golf course and rebukes the government
Federal Judge Ana Reyes on Monday ordered a 24-hour halt to tree cutting at the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, PBS and the Guardian reported. Government lawyers said about 430 trees had been cut down on Saturday, CBS News and USA Today reported. Reyes called the government’s conduct “inexcusable,” NBC and Reuters reported, and ABC quoted her saying she was “just beyond disappointed.” The Times said she demanded to know who authorized the removal during a four-hour hearing. The Guardian reported she is deciding on an emergency order sought by plaintiffs. PBS said the course is part of Trump’s plans to remake the city.
Trees cannot be put back. A court challenge only helps if judges can act before the work is done, so the judge’s anger is about the government acting before the court could weigh in.
Washington residents who use the course will see whether it stays open. For others the case is a test of how far the administration can go in reshaping public land.
Watch Reyes’s ruling on the emergency order and who the government says approved the cutting. Her question about who authorized it is the one that will matter.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 9 · October 13, 2026