Judge Intervenes After NPS Fells 500 Trees in a Day

The Trump administration has been ordered to stop cutting down trees at a historic public golf course in Washington, DC, that the president hopes to turn into championship-level links. A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked all tree removals at East Potomac Golf Links after the DC Preservation League filed for a restraining order, claiming 529 trees were felled on Saturday alone, the Washington Post reports. The Interior Department had forwarded a maintenance plan to address tree overgrowth at the course to reopen views of area landmarks, per the AP. Just before the holiday weekend, National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Kevin Griess filed notice that 169 trees would be removed beginning Saturday, followed by another 90, and eventually 529 in all after field inspections.

The complaint alleges that 529 trees were removed Saturday and more would have been felled Sunday if there hadn't been rain. Preservationists also claim healthy trees were among those brought down, despite assurances that none would be targeted. The president of Democracy Forward, representing the plaintiffs, says it's another example of the administration making irreversible changes to a national landmark "just to advance another one of President Trump's pet vanity projects." Trump has recruited golf architect Tom Fazio to turn the course into one that could host major tournaments but has yet to share a final design, costs, or funding options. The administration claims the tree removals are separate from the plan. US District Court Judge Ana Reyes has now ordered Griess to testify under oath, WTOP reports.