A federal judge halted additional tree removals at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., on Monday following an emergency hearing.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, issued a short-term restraining order blocking the National Park Service from cutting down any more trees through at least 2 p.m. Tuesday. The order came after crews removed approximately 430 trees from the historic public course over the weekend.

The action stems from ongoing litigation brought by the D.C. Preservation League and two local golfers challenging President Donald Trump's plans to renovate the course into a championship-level facility. Reyes expressed strong frustration with the Trump administration during the nearly four-hour hearing, stating that officials had lost credibility by providing only hours of notice before the weekend work began.

Government attorneys maintained that the tree removals were routine maintenance under a plan dating back years, targeting dead, dying, hazardous, or invasive species to restore the course's original design intent. Witnesses indicated the specific work order followed an October 5 meeting focused on the site's cultural heritage.

Reyes criticized the timing and lack of advance notice, which occurred late Friday as offices closed for the holiday weekend. She ordered additional testimony from National Park Service officials, including Superintendent Kevin Griess and Deputy Director Frank Lands, as well as Interior Department official Greg Wischer.

The judge also signaled plans to require the administration to provide at least 72 hours' notice for any future actions at the site while the case proceeds. The temporary order applies even to routine maintenance tree removals.

Trump has publicly described his vision for transforming the course, which is managed by the National Park Service. The weekend removals drew immediate legal challenges from preservation groups seeking to block broader redevelopment.

Reyes extended an earlier Sunday order and indicated she may extend the block further pending additional hearings, including one scheduled for later in the week.