Judge furious as Trump admin cuts down 430 trees at D.C. muni

A federal judge expressed outrage on Monday regarding the Trump administration’s decision to remove more than 400 trees from East Potomac Golf Links, a historic municipal course in Washington, D.C. The ire stemmed from a violation of a previous court order that required the Department of Interior to provide advance notice for significant construction work, specifically including the removal of 10 or more trees. The government submitted notice on Friday evening only hours before the operation commenced, precluding any judicial review. During a three-hour hearing, the judge rebuked the Justice Department, stating, “You did not do your best. You did your absolute worst.” As the hearing progressed, the judge demanded the testimony of officials involved, ultimately linking the directive to the Department of the Interior’s deputy chief of staff for policy. The court has issued a 24-hour halt on further tree removal, with potential for a 14-day extension. While the government cited the goal of restoring Walter Travis’s 1920s-era design, critics argue the move is part of an aggressive, unauthorized overhaul pushed by the administration that threatens the course's historic character and accessibility.