October 14, 2026 - Washington D.C. – On Tuesday, a federal court has ordered the Trump-Vance administration to 
temporarily stop an unlawful effort that would irreparably destroy a priceless piece of American history as it seeks to convert a public recreation space into an exclusive, high-end golf course. The temporary restraining order (TRO) comes in DC Preservation League v. Department of the Interior, a lawsuit brought by the DC Preservation League and two local residents. Democracy Forward, Lowell & Associates, and Democracy Defenders Fund represent the plaintiffs in the case.
Today’s TRO will temporarily stop any tree removal for 14 days, placing a temporary halt on the National Park Service’s planned efforts to implement Trump’s Washington National plan that will undermine access to East Potomac Park and seek to build in its place a golf course designed for professional tournaments and private events for the president and wealthy golfers.
“The administration has time and again tried to avoid the law in their mad rush toward converting a public recreation space to a high-end golf course and today’s order will stop them from doing further irreparable harm to a precious public resource. We are pleased that the court intervened and will prevent additional work while we seek more lasting relief,” the coalition said in a joint statement.
The administration had repeatedly told the court that they would not take irreversible action to implement their transformation of East Potomac Golf Course without completing various legal review processes and providing public notice as required under the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act.
But on Friday at 4:55 p.m ET, the government announced their intent to begin — barely 12 hours later — a massive operation to clear hundreds of trees at East Potomac Golf Course. By 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, the government’s workers had arrived in full force to begin felling hundreds of trees, including healthy, mature oaks and maples. By Sunday afternoon, despite claiming that the work would proceed in stages over time, the government informed the plaintiffs that 529 trees were razed on Saturday alone, with hundreds more still slated to be cut as soon as the weather permits. Today’s order will stop the work from proceeding.
In a hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes expressed frustration with the government’s actions.
“We are talking now with potential multiple misrepresentations to the court. … I am beyond disappointed with the government,” the judge said.
The legal team at Democracy Forward working on the case includes Will Bardwell, Mark Samburg, Catherine Carroll, and Robin Thurston. The team with Lowell & Associates includes Abbe Lowell, Caleb Hayes-Deats, Jack Bolen, and Angela Reilly, with support from Norm Eisen and the Democracy Defenders Fund.
Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
Democracy Forward Foundation
