A federal judge has halted further tree cutting at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C., for two weeks. The temporary restraining order prevents major changes to the site while legal proceedings continue. The decision follows concerns that officials may have violated a previous court directive.
The ruling requires Interior Department officials to testify about their actions at the course. Judge Randolph Moss issued the order after evidence suggested the department ignored an earlier command to stop work. The testimony will help determine whether the government acted in contempt of court.
The tree removal is part of a larger renovation project at the historic public golf course. The plan aimed to redesign the layout and improve facilities. Conservation groups and local residents objected to the loss of mature trees on the property.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that the Interior Department moved forward without proper environmental review. They claimed the work continued despite a clear judicial instruction to pause. The judge agreed that immediate intervention was necessary to preserve the site.
Government lawyers defended the project as routine maintenance and improvement. They said the tree cutting fell within the scope of previously approved plans. The court found those arguments insufficient to justify the ongoing activity.
The two-week pause allows time for sworn statements from key officials. Their depositions will clarify who authorized the work and when. The judge will then decide whether to extend the ban or allow construction to resume.
The case highlights tensions between federal development projects and environmental protections. Public golf courses often face pressure to modernize while preserving natural features. This dispute underscores the legal risks when agencies bypass court orders.
A final ruling on the tree cutting is expected after the testimony period ends. The outcome could set a precedent for similar projects on federal land. Both sides have declined to comment outside of court filings.
