Judge extends block on tree removal at Washington golf course, citing Trump posts

A federal judge in Washington on Monday issued a longer-term injunction that blocks the Trump administration from removing or damaging any more trees at East Potomac Golf Links while a legal challenge moves forward.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the administration to give written notice 10 business days before making "any irreparable modification to any forms or features of East Potomac Park" as the case proceeds.

In her order, Reyes pointed to several of President Donald Trump's Truth Social posts, which she said contradicted testimony from government employees. "This started as a case about golf. That good walk spoiled. But it has become much more," she wrote. According to the judge, the case now forces the court to reconcile assertions by Trump with the sworn testimony of multiple government employees and the arguments of senior Department of Justice attorneys.

The order included screenshots of the posts. In one dated Oct. 18, Trump said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, working with an architect, had "developed a plan to build a World Class Championship Golf Course" at East Potomac, with work starting Nov. 15. Justice Department lawyers had previously said there was no renovation plan.

In a follow-up post on Oct. 19, Trump said work would start not on Nov. 15 but "IMMEDIATELY!" That post also said workers did not need approval for construction and described Reyes as "a crazed lunatic."

"Rarely, if ever, has the United States Department of Justice urged a federal court not to believe the sitting President," Reyes wrote on Monday. "And yet, here we are."

During a seven-hour hearing earlier this month, Reyes said she believed extending her order pausing the tree demolition would most likely be necessary. She had already found that the government acted in "bad faith" when it abruptly cut down more than 400 trees at the course over the Columbus Day holiday weekend.

Reyes also returned to a line from an earlier proceeding. "The Court earlier stated, 'I am not the Lorax. I do not speak for the trees.' The Court still does not speak for the trees. It speaks only for the rule of law," she wrote.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, praised the decision in a statement. "This is a big win that will rightly protect East Potomac park from further irreparable harm," she said. Perryman added that the group is grateful the court intervened "to stop the Trump-Vance association's greed and lawlessness while the case continues," and is eager to argue the case in court.