{"id":"57fc601f-8e97-4eeb-8fe4-9d63317cbdec","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/donald-trump-washington-b3069452.html","domain":"independent.co.uk","outlet":{"name":"The Independent","country":"GB","cred":3,"lean":-1,"curated":true},"title":"Judge hears testimony in legal fight over Trump's golf course renovation plans at East Potomac Park","plainHeadline":"Judge questions link between tree cutting and Trump golf plans.","rewrite":{"model":null,"at":null},"summary":["A federal judge questioned the government's claim that tree cutting and golf renovation were unrelated.","Judge Ana Reyes noted it is unlikely the events occurred coincidentally at East Potomac Park.","The court halted redevelopment plans until at least Oct. 26 after a weekend tree removal.","Trump announced a 15-month closure and redevelopment of the park and course.","Plaintiffs urged Reyes to extend the temporary pause amid ongoing court challenges."],"topics":["Politics","Environment"],"lang":"eng","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T17:18:38.000Z","ingestedAt":"2026-10-19T17:58:45.083Z","story":"https://brief.concise.news/story/7413ac81-c88c-4c57-8dc0-ebc53c488f5e","storyId":"7413ac81-c88c-4c57-8dc0-ebc53c488f5e","image":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/10/19/18/Trump_Golf_Course_74531.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp&crop=3%3A2","author":"Gary Fields","dek":"A federal judge hearing testimony about President Donald Trump’s plans to redevelop a Washington golf course is expressing deep skepticism over the government’s claim that the recent mass cutting of trees and the plans for a new golf course are not connected"}