DC golf course at center of fight over tree clearing to start renovations next month, Trump says

By Julia Benbrook, CNN

(CNN) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that restoration work on the Washington, DC, golf course that has become wrapped up in litigation will begin November 15.

In a Truth Social post, Trump displayed an architectural rendering of what he said will be a “world class championship golf course” developed by the Department of Interior in conjunction with golf course architect Tom Fazio.

The park is one of several renovation projects Trump is working on in Washington as he seeks to put his stamp on the nation’s capital.

Trump previously stated that renovations to the popular public golf course overlooking the Potomac River would start on September 1, but his plans have faced legal challenges from groups seeking to preserve the site used by recreational golfers and cyclists.

“When completed, it will be open to the Public while, at the same time, designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup,” Trump said in his post.

The president claims the course is “in very poor condition” with “falling, dangerous, and disease infested trees,” which preservation groups say isn’t true.

US District Judge Ana Reyes said in a hearing Monday she was “furious” with the Trump administration for cutting down at least 430 trees from the golf course without first notifying the court, adding that “the government can’t be trusted.”

The administration later said in a court filing that it intends to clear nearly 730 trees in total, describing the job as routine maintenance meant to eliminate potential hazards.

Reyes put a temporary hold on any further tree removals through October 26, a pause that would make it more difficult to clear all the trees the administration says need to go before the renovation work begins.

The Trump administration has requested the federal judge’s removal from the case, accusing her of having “bias.”

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