Federal judge orders 24-hour halt to tree-cutting at historic D.C. golf course, saying the government deceived her

What happened

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes on Monday ordered the Trump administration to stop cutting trees at East Potomac Golf Course for 24 hours, according to an Associated Press report published by PBS NewsHour. The historic course in Washington, D.C., has been part of President Donald Trump's plans to remake the city.

The order came after a three-hour hearing that the AP described as tense. During the hearing, Reyes said the government had deceived her through its actions over the holiday weekend.

Inside the emergency hearing

The judge's opening statement

Reyes opened the hearing with a 15-minute statement criticizing the government, the AP reported. "I am thoroughly unamused right now," she said, according to the report. She also said, "I have given the government every single benefit of the doubt that it would not do precisely what it has done."

The judge had turned down repeated requests from the plaintiffs to stop the administration's work before this week, the AP reported. She told government lawyers, "I wanted you all to be better than you have been."

Testimony about the timing

The holiday hearing grew as Reyes directed the government to bring several people involved in the decision into the proceeding remotely. Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the National Park Service, testified that Greg Wischer, deputy chief of staff at the Interior Department, pushed for the work to be done urgently, according to the AP.

A photo caption accompanying the report said the National Park Service began cutting down trees at East Potomac Golf Links on Saturday, with golfers passing the workers.

Why the order lasts one day

Finding a key official

The AP reported that Reyes kept the order to one day while the government works to locate a key administration official. The judge wants an explanation for why a large tree-cutting effort at the park had to take place over the holiday weekend, with little notice to her or to the plaintiffs.

Those plaintiffs are part of a lawsuit that seeks to stop renovation plans for the course, according to the report.

A possible 14-day extension

Reyes said the 24-hour temporary order could be extended to 14 days if necessary, the AP reported. She plans another hearing on Tuesday and wants to hear directly from Wischer.

The broader context

The AP framed the dispute as the latest sign of eroding trust between the government and the independent judiciary. The news service pointed to other administration actions facing scrutiny, from the White House ballroom to immigration enforcement.

According to the AP, the administration has tried to push past scrutiny of its actions in these areas. Other national stories are collected in our Nation section.

What to watch next

• Reyes plans to hold another hearing on Tuesday.
• The judge wants testimony from Greg Wischer, deputy chief of staff at the Interior Department, about why the work was urgent.
• Reyes said the 24-hour order could be extended to 14 days if necessary.
• The plaintiffs' lawsuit seeking to halt renovation plans at the course remains pending.