Federal Judge Orders 10-Day Notice Before Changes to East Potomac Park

A federal judge in Washington D.C. extended a legal pause on Monday, preventing the Trump administration from removing or altering features of East Potomac Golf Links for a longer period. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued the new injunction to maintain the status quo while a lawsuit challenges the government's actions at the park.

The court order mandates that the administration provide written notice at least 10 business days before making any changes described as irreparable. Reyes grounded this requirement in the conflicting narratives presented by the executive branch. She noted that the case began as a dispute over golf but evolved into a legal struggle to reconcile the President's public statements with the sworn testimony of government employees and Department of Justice attorneys.

Reyes included screenshots of Truth Social posts in her ruling to illustrate the inconsistencies. On October 18, President Donald Trump claimed that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and an architect had created a plan for a World Class Championship Golf Course, with construction scheduled to start on November 15. This timeline contradicted previous assertions by Justice Department lawyers who stated no renovation plan existed. A follow-up post on October 19 declared that work would begin immediately without required approvals, while also describing Reyes as a crazed lunatic.

"Rarely, if ever, has the United States Department of Justice urged a federal court not to believe the sitting President," Reyes wrote in the order. "And yet, here we are." The judge had previously determined during a seven-hour hearing that the government acted in bad faith when it cut down more than 400 trees over the Columbus Day holiday weekend.

Reyes referenced an earlier remark from the proceedings to clarify the court's role. "The Court earlier stated, 'I am not the Lorax. I do not speak for the trees.' The Court still does not speak for the trees. It speaks only for the rule of law," she wrote.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, called the decision a major victory. "This is a big win that will rightly protect East Potomac park from further irreparable harm," Perryman said. She added that the organization is grateful for the court's intervention to stop what she described as the Trump-Vance association's greed and lawlessness while the legal case continues.

The administration must now adhere to the 10-business-day notice rule for any future modifications to the park. The legal challenge remains active in federal court, with both sides preparing for further proceedings on the merits of the case.