WASHINGTON — U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes declined to issue a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit brought by the DC Preservation League over planned work at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, but directed the National Park Service to notify government lawyers before cutting down more than 10 trees at the site. Reyes issued the directive during a remote hearing in the case, which seeks to halt renovations planned by the administration of President Donald Trump.

The DC Preservation League filed an emergency petition seeking to stop work at the golf course, citing news reports that major renovations were to begin Monday. The complaint, filed against the Department of the Interior, argues that the Trump administration's reconstruction of East Potomac Park, including the East Potomac Golf Course, would violate the congressional act that created the park in 1897. That act established the park for the recreation and the pleasure of the people.

Reyes said during the hearing that she was not going to issue a temporary restraining order, but told the National Park Service it should first discuss any plans with government lawyers if it was going to cut down more than 10 trees. She said she did not want trees being bulldozed.

Kevin Griess said during the hearing there was no plan to begin work Monday and that a safety assessment was underway. Reyes said she had been made aware that closure signs had been put up at the site.

Griess asked someone to check for closure signs at the site and later reported that there were no closure signs there. Reyes asked that if any closure signs were found, the government's attorney be told.

East Potomac Golf Course opened in 1919. Trump also plans to renovate a military golf course just outside of Washington that has been used by past presidents for decades.