A US judge halts tree-cutting at Trump’s golf course project in Washington after more than 500 trees were felled, pending a court case

A US federal judge has halted further tree-cutting at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, DC, after more than 500 trees were felled as part of President Donald Trump’s proposed renovation of the public golf course.

Also read: Sanwo-Olu Wins National Peace and Humanitarian Award

District Judge Ana Reyes issued the order on Monday, barring the defendants from removing or damaging additional trees while litigation over the project continues.

The judge also ordered the government to provide 10 business days’ written notice before making any irreversible changes to features of East Potomac Park, pending the outcome of the case.

“The Government felled hundreds of trees from the East Potomac Golf Course without real notice even though it knew of the scheduled removal at least a week prior,” Reyes wrote in her 70-page order.

She added that the trees were healthy and posed no known hazards.

Trump, an avid golfer who owns courses around the world, has proposed transforming East Potomac Golf Links, a public course known for its affordable rates, into a facility capable of hosting major championship-level events.

The renovation has faced opposition from environmental campaigners and local golfers.

An environmental group filed a lawsuit challenging the work, while golfers have argued that the century-old course provides an important affordable recreational space in the US capital.

Despite the legal challenge, demolition work had proceeded before the judge’s ruling.

Trump said earlier this month that construction on the 18-hole course was scheduled to begin in November. On Monday, he maintained that the course would close for renovation as planned on November 15 and vowed to appeal the decision.

“The judge has absolutely no right to hold up this very important and beautiful Project,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

In her ruling, Reyes referred to the children’s book ‘The Lorax’ by Dr Seuss while explaining the court’s role in the dispute.

“The court does not speak for the trees,” she wrote, before adding that it “speaks only for the rule of law.”

Also read: Sanwo-Olu Wins National Peace and Humanitarian Award

The injunction means further tree removal and irreversible modifications covered by the order must wait while the legal challenge proceeds.