Judge Screams at Trump Officials For Abruptly Cutting Down 500 Trees in DC

A federal judge erupted at Trump administration officials Monday over the removal of hundreds of trees from a historic Washington, D.C., golf course, accusing the government of destroying its credibility with the court.

According to multiple accounts on X, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes repeatedly raised her voice during a hearing over work at East Potomac Golf Links, where the National Park Service has begun removing trees as part of the administration’s renovation plans.

The judge, appointed by former President Joe Biden, said she had repeatedly instructed the government to notify her before major demolition work proceeded.

The removal of more than 500 trees without adequate notice “has cost the government all of its credibility” in the case, Reyes said, according to social media posts.

“I trusted you all not to do precisely what you have done,” Reyes said, adding that she was “at a total loss” to understand the government’s actions.

When Justice Department attorneys said they had not known the details of the tree-cutting plan, Reyes responded: “Ignorance is not an excuse.”

Reyes ordered tree removal halted through at least 7 a.m. Tuesday, warning: “If that order is violated by two seconds, there are going to be contempt proceedings.”

The dispute centers on the Trump administration’s plans to renovate the 106-year-old public course into a championship-level golf venue.

This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.