Judge extends tree removal pause at East Potomac, cites Trump posts

A federal judge in Washington extended an injunction on Monday to prevent the administration from altering East Potomac Golf Links while litigation continues.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the government to provide written notice ten business days before making any irreparable changes to the park. The ruling responds to a legal challenge regarding the removal of more than 400 trees during the Columbus Day holiday weekend. Reyes previously found the government acted in bad faith during that initial clearing.

The judge cited several Truth Social posts by President Donald Trump in her order. She noted that these posts contradicted sworn testimony from government employees. One post dated Oct. 18 claimed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had developed a plan for a championship course with work starting Nov. 15. Justice Department attorneys had previously stated no renovation plan existed.

In a follow-up post on Oct. 19, Trump stated work would begin immediately and that workers did not need construction approval. The post also described Reyes as a crazed lunatic. Reyes wrote that the case has evolved beyond a golf dispute into a reconciliation of presidential assertions with legal arguments. She included screenshots of the posts in the court document.

Reyes remarked that the Department of Justice rarely urges a court to disbelieve the sitting president. She maintained that the court speaks for the rule of law, not for the trees. The judge had expressed earlier in a seven-hour hearing that extending the pause on demolition would likely be necessary.

Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, called the decision a major win. She said the ruling protects the park from further irreparable harm. Perryman stated the group is grateful for the court's intervention to stop greed and lawlessness while the case continues. The plaintiffs are prepared to argue the case in court as it proceeds.