10 Days: New Rule for D.C. Park Changes

Federal officials in Washington must now provide ten business days of written notice before making any permanent changes to the grounds of East Potomac Golf Links. A longer-term injunction issued Monday by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocks the Trump administration from removing or damaging any additional trees while the legal case proceeds. The order specifically prohibits any irreparable modification to the park's forms or features until that notice period expires.

Judge Reyes grounded her decision in conflicting public statements made by the executive branch. Her ruling cites Truth Social posts by President Donald Trump that contradicted sworn testimony from government employees. In one post dated October 18, Trump stated that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and an architect had developed a plan to build a world-class championship golf course starting November 15. Justice Department lawyers had previously argued no such renovation plan existed.

A follow-up post on October 19 changed the timeline, claiming work would begin immediately. That same post asserted workers did not need approval for construction and described Judge Reyes as a crazed lunatic. Reyes noted the discrepancy between these executive claims and the legal arguments presented by senior Department of Justice attorneys.

The judge highlighted the government's actions during the Columbus Day holiday weekend, when more than 400 trees were chopped down at the course. She stated that she believed it was necessary to extend the pause on demolition because the government acted in bad faith during that event. Reyes emphasized that the court’s role is to enforce the rule of law rather than advocate for the environment. She wrote that the court speaks only for the rule of law, even as she acknowledged the case started as a dispute about golf.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, represented the plaintiffs in the case. She praised the ruling in a statement, calling it a major victory that protects the park from further irreversible harm. Perryman expressed gratitude for the court's intervention to stop what she described as greed and lawlessness by the Trump-Vance association. She indicated the legal team is eager to continue arguing the case in court.

The administration must now adhere to the new notice requirement for any future physical changes to the park. The ten-day window creates a specific procedural step before construction or removal can occur. The court will continue to monitor compliance with the order while the underlying litigation moves forward.