From Law & Crime · · 1m 10s
Judge Blocks Trump Administration Tree Cutting
Federal judge orders Trump officials to stop cutting hundreds of trees at D.C. golf course.
In brief
Federal judge orders Trump officials to stop cutting hundreds of trees at D.C. golf course. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked Trump administration from removing 430 trees at East Potomac Golf Links after officials acted against court order. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Judge Ana Reyes Orders Tree Protection
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered Trump administration to stop cutting trees at Washington, D.C.'s East Potomac Golf Links.
“the court concludes, on this limited record, that government officials raced to undertake the tmp because president trump demands haste on his redesign”
Trump Administration Cut 430 Trees
DOI and NPS removed 430 healthy, non-invasive trees from East Potomac Golf Links in five days.
“by day's end, it had removed about 430 healthy, non-invasive trees”
Judge Criticizes DOJ for Speed
Reyes accused DOJ attorneys of doing 'your absolute worst' to cut trees without proper environmental review.
“your absolute worst”
Trump's Social Media Post Motivated Action
Reyes stated Trump's August social media post about quick course work likely drove the tree removal.
“it seems that an august social media post by trump in which he declared work on the new course will go quickly provided a more likely reason”
NEPA Compliance Questioned
Reyes found NPS likely violated NEPA by skipping environmental reviews before tree removal.
“n.p.s. likely failed to comply with that statute's procedural and 'hard look' requirements”
Tree Removal Banned Until Oct 26
Administration can no longer remove trees until October 26, 2026, per court order.
“the court concludes, on this limited record, that government officials raced to undertake the tmp because president trump demands haste on his redesign”
The main idea
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked Trump administration from removing 430 trees at East Potomac Golf Links after officials acted against court order.
