Judge Reyes Signals Extended Block on 400-Tree Clearing at Trump Golf Project
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Oct 20
Judge Reyes Signals Extended Block on 400-Tree Clearing at Trump Golf Project
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Oct 20
Summary
Ana Reyes said she is likely to extend her order barring more tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Links after finding the government probably acted in bad faith.
Over 400 trees were felled during the Columbus Day holiday weekend, and Reyes said she rejected the administration's claim that the clearing was unrelated to Trump's renovation push.
Trump's posts complicated the government's case: he announced a plan for a "World Class Championship" course and said work should begin immediately, even as Justice Department and Interior officials testified they knew of no concrete plan or Nov. 15 closure.
The suit by a preservation group and two Washington residents says the overhaul would remake the 100-year-old, three-course site into a single championship-style layout.
Reyes also denied a Justice Department recusal bid and said reports of death threats against her family underscored the fallout from the fight over the federal golf course.