District judge Ana Reyes halts tree-cutting at the East Potomac golf course until 26 October, and now requires advance notice before making course changes

US district judge Ana Reyes on Tuesday ordered a halt to tree-cutting at the East Potomac golf course until 26 October, putting a further pause on work at the historic Washington DC course that has been part of Donald Trump’s plans to remake the country’’s capital city.

Reyes issued the order one day after a tense three-hour hearing in which she harshly criticized the government for having deceived her with its actions over the holiday weekend.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images

© Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images

© Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images

The ruling barred major modifications at the D.C. course while a federal judge seeks testimony from Interior Department officials about whether they ignored a court order.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

During a four-hour hearing, a federal judge demanded answers from the Trump administration about who authorized the removal of hundreds of trees at the East Potomac Golf Links.

© Andrew Leyden for The New York Times

The National Park Service notified a court of the plan as part of continuing litigation over the president’s proposal to create a “champion-level” course.

© Andrew Leyden for The New York Times