The LIV Golf New York tournament was held at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, in August. [Getty Images]
The LIV Golf New York tournament was held at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, in August. [Getty Images]

A federal judge erupted in anger at the Trump administration after hundreds of trees were felled at a Washington, D.C., public golf course at the center of ongoing litigation — without the advance notice the court had required.

The course is East Potomac Golf Links, a public facility with more than a century of history that has long been cherished by residents for offering affordable access to the game.

President Donald Trump has pushed to redevelop the course into an upscale venue capable of hosting major golf tournaments. A civic group dedicated to preserving historic structures and public spaces in Washington, D.C., filed suit in February to block the plan.

US District Judge Ana Reyes, who is presiding over the case, told the government in May that it must provide advance notice before carrying out any construction at the course. The Interior Department announced its tree-cutting plans on Friday (local time), however, and began work the following morning — a Saturday.

The department cut down 500 trees over the weekend, arguing the work was routine maintenance unrelated to the course's redevelopment.

Judge Reyes halted the felling on Monday (local time) and convened an emergency hearing, where she sharply rebuked the Trump administration. "I am beyond angry and furious — I am deeply disappointed in the government," she said, calling the less-than-one-day notice before work began a breach of trust.

When a government attorney said the administration had "done its best" to provide notice, Reyes shot back: "You did not do your best. You did your worst."

The judge's unusually fierce outburst reflected her view that the administration had effectively ignored the court's directive to give proper advance notice, exploiting the weekend to carry out what amounted to a surprise operation.

Trump, a well-known golf enthusiast, owns golf resorts across the United States and around the world. Since returning to office, he has pursued a series of renovation projects throughout Washington, D.C., drawing a string of lawsuits in the process.


kate01@heraldcorp.com