{
  "id": 14025679,
  "title": "Judge chastises DOJ after 430 trees cut down at D.C. golf course",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/judge-chastises-doj-after-430-trees-cut-down-at-d-c-golf-course",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T19:08:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-ana-reyes-justice-department-trees-east-potomac-golf-course/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A federal judge harshly criticized the Justice Department on Monday after hundreds of trees were removed at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, without much prior notice. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes held a lengthy virtual hearing and ordered Kevin Griess, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, to testify about the reason behind the tree felling. Judge Reyes also demanded Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the National Park Service, to attend and answer questions.\n\nReyes expressed her frustration with the government's actions, stating that she could not comprehend why the trees were removed on Saturday after giving little warning to the plaintiffs and the court. The judge issued a temporary order blocking the National Park Service from cutting down any further trees until Tuesday, as she considers her next steps. She also announced that she will require the Justice Department to provide her with three days' notice of any upcoming actions at the golf course.\n\nInitially, the National Park Service had planned to clear 169 trees first, followed by another 90 trees. However, by Sunday, all 529 trees had been removed, including healthy, mature oaks and maples. The D.C. Preservation League, along with two golfers, filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's plan to transform East Potomac.\n\nGriess claimed that the 430 trees felled were not deemed hazardous or posing any safety concerns. The judge repeatedly questioned Piropato, a Justice Department lawyer, about when she learned about the tree removal and why she waited until Friday to inform the plaintiffs and the court.",
  "summary": "Government lawyers said 430 trees were cut down at East Potomac Golf Links on Saturday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Judge Ana Reyes criticizes DOJ for tree removal without notice",
    "430 trees cut down at East Potomac Golf Links in D.C.",
    "Temporary order blocks further tree cutting until Tuesday"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}