Washington — A federal judge asked the US government on Monday not to cut down more than 10 trees without first notice, amid a legal dispute in… Historic golf course in Washington Which President Donald Trump plans to renew.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said during a remote hearing that she would not issue a temporary restraining order yet in the case brought by the Metropolitan Preservation League. She also told the National Park Service that she must first discuss any plans with government lawyers if she is going to cut down more than 10 trees.
Monday’s hearing followed the plaintiff’s emergency petition to halt work on the course, citing news reports that major renovation work would begin Monday.
Kevin Grace, superintendent of national park and memorial parks for the Park Service, said during the hearing that there was no plan to begin such work on Monday, but added that a safety assessment was underway.
Reyes told the parties she didn’t want to play the “Parks and Rec” segment, a reference to the sitcom, but she also said she didn’t want to bulldoze trees.
“I’m not Amy Poehler,” she said, referring to the star of the show.
At one point during Monday’s hearing, the judge said she became aware of closure signs at the site, prompting Grace to ask someone to check. He later stated that there were no such signs. Reyes asked that the government attorney be informed if any of these signs are found.
The complaint against the Interior Department says the Trump administration’s reconstruction of East Potomac Park, including the East Potomac Golf Course, violates the law of Congress that created the park in 1897. The law, passed nearly 130 years ago, created the park for the “recreation and enjoyment of the people.” The course itself opened in 1919.
Trump, an avid golfer, also plans to renovate a course Military golf course Just outside Washington and used by former presidents decades ago.