Federal Judge Ana C. Reyes sharply rebuked Trump administration lawyers Monday, questioning their credibility over President Trump's plans to renovate the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. The hearing ended without a decision but followed the judge's temporary block on tree clearing.
Judge Reyes confronted government attorneys who had told the court the golf course renovation remained conceptual—a claim that contradicted Trump's detailed plans posted publicly on Sunday.
"Do I believe the president of the United States or do I believe you?" Judge Reyes asked from the bench. She noted Trump had stated three times in two days that a "final plan" for the redesign existed.
Government lawyers and their witnesses insisted no final plan was in place. Judge Reyes demanded clarity: "Then I have you all telling me and, you know, witnesses saying what they're saying, that there's no final plan. Which is it?"
The dispute centers on Trump's stated goal to transform the three existing courses at East Potomac Golf Links into a single championship-style course. A D.C. preservation group and two individuals sued in February, arguing the renovations would raise tee-time costs and violate the facility's founding principle of being "open to all people."
The lawsuit named the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service.
In May, Judge Reyes ordered the administration to notify the court before removing more than 10 trees or undertaking substantial construction. The order aimed to prevent unilateral action.
On Friday, Oct. 9, just before a holiday weekend, government officials notified the court of plans to remove "up to 529 trees" in phases. Bulldozers began felling hundreds of trees the next day.
During a three-hour emergency hearing the following week, Judge Reyes criticized government lawyers for insufficient notice. She dismissed their argument that the felling was routine maintenance, saying she was "beyond disappointed" and ordered a 24-hour halt.
"I do not know how I could have made it any plainer that I did not want what was to happen, to happen," Judge Reyes said. She added she had given the government "every single benefit of the doubt that it would not do" such an action.
