Follow-Up: Judge Extends Block on Trump's East Potomac Golf Course Renovation in Washington: No More Tree Removal, 10 Business Days' Notice Required
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes on October 26 extended a court order blocking the Trump administration's plans to renovate the historic East Potomac golf course in Washington, D.C. In an order filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Reyes barred the government from removing or damaging additional trees on the course and required it to give 10 business days of written advance notice before making any "irreparable modification" at the park while the lawsuit is pending. According to Reuters, Reyes wrote: "The court still does not speak for the trees. It speaks only for the rule of law."
The case stems from the administration's takeover and planned renovation of the historic course. The DC Preservation League sued in February to halt the takeover, arguing the project would violate environmental laws and "irreparably destroy a priceless piece of American history." Hundreds of trees were removed from the course earlier this month; this site reported on October 11 that removal of 169 trees had begun. Two weeks ago Reyes faulted the conduct of Justice Department lawyers in the case and called the earlier weekend removal of hundreds of trees "inexcusable."
Last week Trump said his administration would begin renovation work immediately despite the court's notice requirement, posting that it had "an absolute right" to proceed while calling the judge a "lunatic" and the lawsuit "ridiculous." In her order, Reyes noted the government had asked her to disregard Trump's statements about the renovation plans: "Rarely, if ever, has the United States Department of Justice urged a federal court not to believe the sitting president," she wrote. "This started as a case about golf... But it has become much more."
With the order extended, the renovation cannot proceed on the government's own timetable while the suit is pending, and any irreparable modification requires the 10-business-day written notice first.
Related: Removal of 169 Trees Begins at East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 华盛顿特区 East Potomac Park 与高尔夫球场航拍资料照片，远处可见华盛顿纪念碑。照片：Duane Lempke，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Aerial file photo of East Potomac Park and its golf course in Washington, D.C., with the Washington Monument in the distance. Photo by Duane Lempke, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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