WASHINGTON – A federal judge said she was “furious” that the Trump administration cut down nearly 500 trees at a public golf course in Washington, DC, despite ongoing litigation aimed at preventing the destruction.
Dozens of National Park Service workers cut down 430 trees at East Potomac Golf Links on Oct. 10. The government plans to cut down about 300 more trees. The government alerted litigants, who were trying to prevent the tree removal, about the plans on Oct. 9 at 4:55 p.m. before the heavy equipment began operating the next morning.
"More than being upset and furious right now, I am just deeply disappointed in the government," U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes told government lawyers during an emergency hearing Oct. 12. "On what universe did
anyone in your office think this was acceptable?"
Justice Department lawyer Marissa Piropato told Reyes that government attorneys had done their best to gather details on tree removal so they could share them in a court filing.
“We did our best,” Piropato said.
But Reyes said there was no urgency to the tree removal and lawyers should have alerted litigants days earlier, to have a chance to block the project.
"You did not do your best," Reyes said. "You did your absolute worst."
She temporarily blocked further removal of trees until 2 p.m. Oct. 13. She is eager to hear from a top National Park Service staffer about how plans for the tree removal came together in a week after seven years of inaction.
Renovating the golf course is part of President Donald Trump's overhaul of the capital with a number of projects.
The projects include a granite helipad at the White House, a controversial ballroom under construction at the White House, an overhaul of the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial, a proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and long-discussed relocation of the FBI headquarters along Pennsylvania Avenue.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge 'furious' over Trump admin cutting down 430 trees at DC golf course
