Judge Limits East Potomac Golf Course Work as Trump Posts Clash With Court Filings
Photo: The New York TimesA federal judge has barred the government from clearing more trees or making other alterations to East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., without proper notice, while President Donald Trump says renovations of the golf course will still begin next month and that his administration will appeal. U.S. Judge Ana Reyes issued the restriction as the Justice Department defended the project in court.
The Justice Department filed a notice on Wednesday night saying Trump's announcements that there are plans to renovate the East Potomac Golf Course, and plans to close the park beginning Nov. 15, are accurate. Trump's social media posts about the renovation of the historic course have put department lawyers in the position of explaining to the court whether the president's statements should be believed, and they have brought the lawyers back before Reyes.
The Washington Times, a right-leaning outlet, leads with the Justice Department filing, framing it as confirmation that Trump's plans are in the works and that the course will close Nov. 15. Its excerpt features the department's notice and gives no weight to the judge's restrictions or to any tension between the president's posts and earlier court statements. NPR, on the left, leads with the judge's ruling halting the work, highlights the bar on more tree clearing without notice, and sets it against Trump's claim that construction will start next month despite the order, noting his plan to appeal. Both sides agree on the Nov. 15 timeline and on the Justice Department's role, but they differ in emphasis: the right frames the filing as validating the plans, while the left frames the court order as the main development. AP, listed as alternative, offers a distinct angle by focusing on the awkward position of government lawyers, who must say whether the president's posts are reliable, with Reyes at the center.
How the sides differ Right sources stress the Justice Department notice confirming plans and a Nov. 15 closure; left sources stress the judge's order and appeal; alternative sources focus on Trump's posts.
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- The New York TimesPaywallTrump Administration Moves to Close East Potomac Park to Begin Golf Project
NPR leads with the federal judge's order halting tree clearing and other changes without notice, alongside Trump's statement that work will still start next month and that he will appeal.
AP focuses on Trump's social media posts putting Justice Department lawyers in an uncomfortable position before Judge Ana Reyes, who is weighing whether the president's statements should be believed.
The Washington Times leads with the Justice Department's Wednesday-night notice that Trump's announced renovation plans and the Nov. 15 park closure are accurate.