Judge orders Trump's lawyers to say whether his November closure of a Washington golf course is really going ahead

Judge Ana Reyes has ordered Justice Department lawyers to appear in court and confirm whether Trump's pledge on social media to shut East Potomac Golf Course on 15 November reflects actual government policy — or is a claim the DOJ itself cannot stand behind. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. must attend a status hearing before Reyes on Friday or Monday. The unusual demand comes after Reyes issued an injunction on Monday blocking further tree removal, following the administration's felling of upwards of 400 trees across the Columbus Day weekend with no advance notice to the court.

Reyes's 70-page ruling noted it was 'rare' for the DOJ to ask a court not to believe a sitting president — then did exactly that.

Trump took to Truth Social to declare that work will go ahead regardless, branding Reyes's notice requirements 'unconstitutional' and dismissing her as an 'architectural critic.'

The DOJ has already filed an appeal to the DC Circuit Court, while opponents warn the renovation would destroy walking and biking trails and transform an affordable public course into an exclusive facility.