East Potomac Golf Course tree cutting paused after Judge Ana Reyes orders 24-hour halt

A US judge ordered a brief stop to tree cutting at the East Potomac Golf Course. The order came after work began during a holiday weekend. The course is historic and sits in Washington, DC. It also links to President Donald Trumps plans to reshape parts of the city.

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US District Judge Ana Reyes set a 24-hour pause on Monday. Reyes said the temporary order could be extended to 14 days. Reyes limited it to one day at first. Reyes wanted time to question a key Trump administration official about the timing.

East Potomac Golf Course tree cutting order and key questions

Reyes focused on why extensive tree cutting happened over the holiday weekend. Reyes said there was little notice to plaintiffs. Those plaintiffs filed a lawsuit to stop renovation plans. Reyes also said the court received little warning before the cutting began.

The judge said the government needed to locate a key official. Reyes wanted an explanation for the decision-making. Reyes also sought clarity on who directed the work. The court aimed to decide if a longer pause was required. The judge said it could last up to 14 days.

Trump administration scrutiny and East Potomac Golf Course court hearing

The emergency hearing lasted three hours and became tense. Reyes criticised the government for misleading the court over the holiday weekend. Reyes said the situation reflected weakening trust. Reyes pointed to strain between the government and the independent judiciary.

The hearing opened with a 15-minute statement from Reyes. Reyes noted repeated requests from plaintiffs to stop work. Reyes said Reyes had denied those motions due to concerns. Reyes said the strategy appeared to be continuing projects despite court actions.

"I am thoroughly unamused right now,\" Reyes said. \"I do not know how I could have made it any plainer that I did not want what was to happen, to happen.\" The judge added: \"I have given the government every single benefit of the doubt that it would not do precisely what it has done.\"

Reyes also addressed the government lawyers directly. \"I wanted you all to be better than you have been.\" Reyes later expanded the holiday emergency hearing. Reyes ordered the government to bring decision-makers into the hearing remotely.

The court awaited answers on why the work proceeded when it did. The one-day halt gave space for officials to be identified and questioned. Reyes kept open the option of a longer pause. The dispute continued as plaintiffs challenged the renovation plans and the tree cutting.

With inputs from PTI