A federal judge has extended an order blocking President Trump's plans to renovate the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington D.C., a decision that drew a strong rebuke from the president.
US District Judge Ana Reyes issued a 70-page ruling Monday, extending her previous injunction against the administration. The order bars the removal or harm of additional trees on the golf course and requires a 10-day notice period before any "irreparable modification" can proceed.
In her ruling, Reyes stated, "Rarely, if ever, has the United States Department of Justice urged a federal court not to believe the sitting President." She noted that the case, which began as a dispute over golf course plans, had escalated to a point where the court had to reconcile the President's assertions with sworn testimony from government employees and arguments from Department of Justice attorneys.
President Trump reacted furiously to the ruling, calling the 10-day notice period an "unconstitutional request" and vowing to challenge the decision. He argued on Truth Social that Reyes "has absolutely no right to hold up this very important and beautiful Project" and criticized her lack of expertise in golf course design and construction. Trump asserted that the current course is "extremely dangerous to play" due to narrow fairways and that his renovation plans would improve safety and aesthetics.
The planned renovation, part of Trump's vision to transform the course into "one of the Best and Most Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World," was set to begin on November 15 and last 15 months. The design, by architect Tom Fazio, would convert the existing 36-hole layout into a single 18-hole championship course. Critically, the proposed changes would eliminate a network of trails used by runners and bikers and have served as part of the course for the Marine Corps Marathon.
The renovation plans have faced opposition from groups including the DC Preservation League. In May, Reyes had previously ordered the Trump administration to provide notice before cutting down more than 10 trees. On October 9, the White House notified the court of plans to remove up to 529 trees. Following an emergency hearing, Reyes ordered work to halt temporarily while she considered the next steps. She concluded her recent order by stating, "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."