From ABC7 New York · · 1m 10s
DOJ official clashes with judge over Trump golf course trees
D.C. judge confronts DOJ over tree removal at Trump's golf course after social media attack.
In brief
D.C. judge confronts DOJ over tree removal at Trump's golf course after social media attack. D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered testimony from DOJ officials after Trump administration removed trees from East Potomac Golf Course without advance notice. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
D.C. judge orders testimony
D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered testimony from Interior Department official Gregory Wischer and acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron.
Tree removal without notice
The government removed more than 500 trees from East Potomac Golf Course on Columbus Day weekend without giving the judge advance notice.
Judge questions government motive
Reyes accused the government of bad faith for using a 2019 Cultural Landscape Report to justify tree removal despite Trump's social media posts about renovations.
Trump attacks judge
Trump criticized Reyes in a social media post after she rejected a Justice Department motion to disqualify her from the case.
DOJ official defends tree removal
Wischer claimed the tree removals were about 'cleaning up the course' and not tied to Trump's renovation efforts.
“cleaning up the course”
Judge blocks construction
Reyes is currently blocking the administration from proceeding with any major construction on the golf course.
The headline
D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered testimony from DOJ officials after Trump administration removed trees from East Potomac Golf Course without advance notice.
