Dozens of trees were cut at D.C.’s East Potomac Park as a court fight over a Trump-era golf redesign continues, and officials say it is only routine maintenance.
Story Highlights
- Officials say tree removals are routine safety work, not a redesign start.
- Lawmakers warn the plan could scrap a beloved cherry grove and public trails.
- A judge told the government to give notice before cutting more than 10 trees.
- Preservation groups argue required reviews must come before major changes.
What Happened on the Ground
Reporters and local advocates found fresh stumps and cleared patches across East Potomac Golf Links in late August. Photos and on-site counts suggested more than a few trees had come down during peak summer play. The Interior Department said crews removed hazard trees, invasive species, and dead or dying trees. Officials framed the work as routine care that protects visitors and the course, not the start of a new layout or closures.
Earlier this spring, a federal judge directed the government to notify lawyers before removing more than 10 trees at the site. The order came as part of an ongoing case that challenges a large-scale park overhaul. The court allowed routine maintenance but drew a bright line on bigger steps. The message was simple: safety trimming can proceed, but any real project launch needs proper notice and approvals first.
Why Critics Are Sounding the Alarm
Democratic members of Congress pressed the Interior Department and the National Park Service in a July letter. They argued the proposed redesign could wipe out the affordable public golf course, the riverside bike and run loop, and a historic cherry grove at Hains Point. They said tree cutting began while the fight was still in court. They called that unacceptable and possibly illegal without full environmental and historic review on the record.
Preservation groups and neighbors say the park is a listed historic landscape. They argue any major redesign needs clear study, open comment, and alternatives. They warn that “maintenance” can become a back door for larger change. They asked the court to make sure agencies follow the law before shovels hit the ground. They do not oppose safety pruning. They oppose losing public access and history without a full and fair process first.
What Officials Say Is Actually Underway
Interior officials and park spokespeople said arborists are targeting unsafe limbs, failing trees, and invasive growth. They said the goal is to keep golfers, cyclists, and families safe while keeping the course playable. They stressed that this work is not the start of a new layout. They also noted that the judge’s order still allows basic care. They maintain agencies will seek approvals before any closures or major construction begins.
The viral claim that Trump has cut down Washington, D.C.'s oldest cherry trees is unverified, though tree clearing has begun for a golf project. Crews recently removed over 60 trees at the East Potomac Golf Links. No official source confirms the destruction of the historic 1912… pic.twitter.com/S2E7EsE3iW
— — • C H E E K Y • — (@andreagail_k) August 29, 2026
Conservatives can back both safety and stewardship. Routine pruning is common sense. But the line between upkeep and overhaul must stay bright. Clear public notice, honest project labels, and respect for the law protect taxpayers and trust. If plans would change trails, close holes, or touch the oldest cherry trees, the government must show the public the details and get approval first. That keeps power in check and keeps this shared ground open to all.
What to Watch Next
Watch for formal notices, not rumors. Look for agency filings that lay out scope, timelines, and any impact on public access. Court updates will signal whether the judge is satisfied that crews are staying within safety work. Lawmakers will keep pressing on the cherry trees and trail. If agencies move for a larger project, they will need environmental and historic reviews. Sunlight and process are the best guardrails for a fair, lawful outcome.
Sources:
vanhollen.senate.gov, raskin.house.gov, washingtonpost.com, people.com
