USA: Court temporarily stops tree felling for Trump's golf course

It is just one of many projects that the US President is pushing forward in the capital. And as with practically all projects, the courts will also be involved in this case. After the felling of hundreds of trees, a US federal judge has ordered further deforestation at a golf course in Washington, D.C. banned until October 26th - and thus thwarted Donald Trump's plans to redesign the metropolis.

On Monday, Reyes made an emergency decision prohibiting further felling until Tuesday morning or until a further court order. With her decision, she granted a request from environmentalists who had raised the alarm after the felling of around 500 trees on the site on Saturday. The authorities had also announced that they would cut down hundreds more trees on the golf course over the course of the week.

Trump, a passionate golfer, wants to renovate the course. According to him, he is in bad shape. The president argued that major tournaments could be held there.

From arches to ballrooms – projects everywhere

Since his return to the White House in January 2025, the former real estate developer Trump has already launched several construction and renovation projects to leave his mark on Washington. According to his own statements, he wants to help the capital, which was neglected by his predecessors, regain its splendor. Critics - including the opposition Democrats - complain about the personality cult surrounding Trump and the waste of taxpayers' money on unnecessary magnificent buildings.

Many of the projects are being legally challenged. Trump's controversial projects include a ballroom at the White House, for which an entire wing of the presidential residence was demolished, and a triumphal arch. And then there's the renovation of the Kennedy Center, which Trump is keen to have his name affixed to (more here).

Donald Trump wants to create a monument for himself here: a gigantic triumphal arch, a golf course, a hero's park - the US president immortalizes himself in the cityscape of Washington. The new face of the capital hardly seems republican anymore. More about that here.