“[On Truth Social just after 6 a.m., after Judge Reyes denied the administration's motion to remove her from the case:] They have an absolute right to do so. It's as simple as that! … [Describing Reyes, without naming her, as] a crazed lunatic whose courthouse tapes will reveal, may be insane? The tapes have been blocked from usage by the judge. … The random golfer bringing the ridiculous lawsuit has ZERO STANDING! … Work is scheduled to begin IMMEDIATELY!
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Trump, the Judge and the East Potomac Trees
The Park Service Cuts Down More Than 400 Trees at Washington's East Potomac Golf Course Over a Holiday Weekend, a Federal Judge Orders It Stopped — and Trump Announces the Course Will Close for 15 Months Anyway, Calling It "Old, Broken, Dilapidated, and of No Further Use," Then Calls the Judge "a Crazed Lunatic"; Stephen Miller Says She Has "No Jurisdiction Whatsoever," and Don Beyer Calls the Plan "a Disgrace"
October 19, 2026
What happened▸
Over the Columbus Day weekend of Oct. 10, 2026, the National Park Service cut down more than 400 trees at East Potomac Golf Links, the century-old public course in Washington that President Trump wants rebuilt as a championship venue. The government had notified the court late on Friday that it planned to remove up to 529 trees in phases; by the time U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes — hearing a suit by the D.C. Preservation League — convened an emergency hearing on Oct. 12, at least 430 were down. Reyes said the episode "cost the government all of its credibility with me," barred further tree removal through at least Oct. 26, and ordered Interior officials to testify. The Park Service later disclosed that about 729 trees were targeted; it says the work restores the course's historic links character and is separate from Trump's plans.
Stephen Miller mocked the judge on X, saying a federal judge had "no jurisdiction whatsoever" over the course. On Friday, Oct. 16, the Justice Department asked Reyes to step aside, citing "egregious" conduct at the hearing, and told the court Trump had given the redesign "at most" "preliminary thought." Two days later, on Oct. 18, Trump posted that the course would close on Nov. 15 for about 15 months to be rebuilt to a Tom Fazio design able to host the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup — a plan that would eliminate Ohio Drive, picnic areas, bike paths and a cherry grove. Rep. Don Beyer called it "a disgrace." Reyes denied the recusal motion, writing that "it is easy to weaponize selective quotations," and early on Oct. 19 Trump called her "a crazed lunatic" and said work would begin "IMMEDIATELY."
See what your representatives said?
5 Statements
“[On Truth Social, announcing that the course will close Nov. 15 for about 15 months to be rebuilt to a Tom Fazio design by the Interior Department:] [It will be] one of the Best and Most Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World. … When completed, it will be open to the Public while, at the same time, designed to the Highest Level of Golf, able to hold World Class Tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup. … The current Course is old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect, with falling, dangerous, and disease infested trees and, importantly, a collapsing and hazardous seawall. … [I]t was famous for no trees, with views of Washington, D.C., for all to see, [but] it is completely overgrown, dysfunctional, and unsafe. … Restoration work will begin on the Fazio Design on November 15th, when the old Course will be closed to play.
“[Statement, after Trump's announcement:] [The administration] was clearly lying [about why it cut down the trees]. They were lying to conceal from the American people that, at a time when our country is at war and everyone is worried about the economy and high prices, the President simply doesn't care. Trump is focused on building an upscale golf course within walking distance of the White House, on his fancy ballroom, and on his memorial arch to himself, … almost certainly doing all of this at great expense on taxpayers' dime, and if recent history is a guide, with corrupt contracting practices. What a disgrace. [He said the design would "block off or eliminate roads and paths used by large numbers of local residents for cycling and walking."]
“[On X, the next day:] East Potomac Golf Course is owned and operated by the National Park Service (NPS). The course was first established by the War Dept on federal land and later transferred to the newly-created NPS. A federal judge has no jurisdiction whatsoever over the maintenance of this course.
“[On X, after Judge Ana Reyes halted the tree removal at an emergency hearing:] I missed the part of the Constitutional Convention that put federal judges in charge of golf course maintenance. The Left is endlessly enraged that, after allowing DC to decay for decades, the Trump Administration is making it safe, clean and beautiful. … [In a second post:] Also, notice that leftist judges are never "enraged" when Democrats free illegal alien rapists and murderers. That kind of anger is reserved solely for improving long-neglected public golf courses.