How Trump’s golf course renovation turned into an attack on the rule of law

A federal judge has halted work at East Potomac Golf Links, a public course in Washington, after more than 400 trees were felled over a holiday weekend despite her order requiring advance notice. MS NOW columnist Paul Waldman argues the episode shows how little the Trump administration believes laws bind it.

The administration wants to demolish much of the course and build one more to President Donald Trump's liking. After a preservationist group and two golfers sued, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes demanded notice before major work; the government sent only a late-Friday email. Reyes told its lawyers they had done their "absolute worst," imposed a two-week injunction, and denied the government's demand that she recuse herself. Trump said restoration would begin November 15. Government lawyers later blamed a 2019 maintenance plan, which she doubted.

Waldman cites a Just Security analysis through March finding 34 cases of judges doubting compliance with orders and 90 of judges distrusting administration lawyers, plus at least 740 immigration cases of noncompliance. Since Trump v. U.S. may shield the president, he says officials who carried out his orders should face congressional investigations and sanctions, including disbarment, when Democrats govern.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →