WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge agreed Monday to extend an order blocking the Trump administration’s renovation plans for a century-old public golf course in the nation’s capital.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily bars the government from removing or damaging any additional trees on the East Potomac Golf Course. The administration must give 10 days’ notice in writing before making any "irreparable modification” to any “forms or features” of the course while the lawsuit is active.
“The Court earlier stated, ‘I am not the Lorax. I do not speak for the trees.’ The Court still does not speak for the trees. It speaks only for the rule of law,” Reyes wrote.
Reyes expressed astonishment that the government has asked her to “not to believe the sitting President” and disregard Trump’s statements about his plans for the golf course renovations.
“This started as a case about golf. That good walk spoiled. But it has become much more,” Reyes wrote. “It now forces the Court to reconcile assertions by President Donald J. Trump with the sworn testimony of multiple government employees and the argument of senior Department of Justice attorneys.”
On Oct. 18, Trump announced plans on social media to close the golf course for 15 months, starting Nov. 15, and redevelop the 106-year-old park and course despite a court challenge by the D.C. Preservation League and two golfers. A day later, Trump posted that the work would start immediately.
Reyes, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Joe Biden, previously ordered the administration to suspend work on the project until at least Oct. 26.
The plaintiffs challenging the project, DC Preservation League and two golfers, claim the work is inflicting irreversible damage. At a hearing, the judge excoriated the government after workers cut down at least 400 trees over a holiday weekend with little notice to the plaintiffs.
The course renovation project is part of the Republican president’s aggressive campaign to leave his personal imprint on Washington’s historic landscape. Those plans include construction of a huge ballroom at the White House, a massive arch and the creation of a National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park. DC Preservation League is part of a coalition of organizations, including the Cultural Landscape Foundation and one D.C. resident, who have filed lawsuit challenging those plans.
Reyes rejected the administration’s request for her to recuse herself from the case. The government questioned her impartiality and accused her of engaging in “egregious” behavior from the bench during an emergency hearing in the case.
In Monday's ruling Reyes stressed that she had hoped the parties could have resolved their dispute without judicial intervention. She noted that she had denied plaintiffs’ previous requests.
“The Court would much prefer not to have to resolve Lorax v. Once‑ler redux. Indeed, for months, the Court declined to intervene,” she wrote.
But she said the government forced her hand by bulldozing hundreds of trees without any notice, doing “what it assured all it would not do.”
Reyes quoted from a golf-related opinion written by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative icon, in stressing the temporary nature of her own decision.
“Here, golf and government have again clashed,” Reyes wrote. “By issuing this preliminary injunction, the Court does not end the round: it simply marks the ball until the parties can fully and fairly litigate this case.
Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman, whose organization is co-counsel representing the plaintiffs, called the ruling “a big win that will rightly protect East Potomac Park from further irreparable harm.” She added, in an email, that the move will stop activities “while the case continues, and we are eager to argue the case in court.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to Perryman as “he.” This version corrects her identity to “she.”
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Associated Press reporter Gary Fields contributed to this story.
The Washington Monument is seen as a golfer takes a swing at East Potomac Park Golf Course, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
The Washington Monument is seen past stumps of removed trees at East Potomac Park Golf Course, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
LONDON (AP) — Harry Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday thanks to his prolific scoring last season.
Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last campaign — he was Europe's top scorer — and smashed scoring records in Germany for Bayern Munich and at the World Cup, where he captained England to a third-place finish.
The 33-year-old Kane says winning the prestigious individual award was built on so much more.
“Anything is possible with hard work, when no one else is watching, to go through the ups and downs, to learn through resilience, determination and self-belief,” an emotional Kane said in a message to young players, after reflecting on his early career struggles.
“My journey wasn’t straightforward. I wasn’t the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs,” he added. “I had to fight my way to be the very best right now. I hope that can give you inspiration as well.”
Kane was followed in the voting by Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal — voted best young talent for a third straight year — 2024 winner Rodri and record eight-time winner Lionel Messi.
Kane thanked his teammates, coaches, parents, children — “It's past your bedtime” — and wife Kate, “ my best friend. We’ve been through ups and downs for sure. You’re my biggest supporter. You always want the best for me.”
Kane led Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double, scoring a hat trick against Stuttgart in the cup final. Bayern also reached the Champions League semifinals.
At the World Cup, he scored six times to pass Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer and placed himself among the all-time top five in tournament history. His lineup lost to Argentina in the semifinals but beat Mbappé's France for third place, England's best World Cup placing in 60 years.
An Englishman hadn’t won the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
“It's massive for England, for our country. (The ceremony) being here in London was a good omen for me,” Kane said. “It's been too long. Certainly (there have been) incredible English players... To put us back on the map, to put us here with this trophy I'm extremely proud. Playing for England is my biggest honor, the thing I love to do the most.”
England coach Thomas Tuchel told Kane the Three Lions are “lucky to have you as our leader.”
“I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I’m delighted to see that you have now been formally recognized by the football world,” Tuchel said.
Fans packed the streets and climbed light poles near the London Palladium, where the event was held, for a glimpse of the arriving athletes. Kane stopped to sign autographs on his way in.
They stayed through the ceremony and chanted Kane's name as he left the theater near Oxford Circus after midnight.
Kane planned to celebrate with family and friends, but just a little.
“We have a cup game on Wednesday so it can't get too messy,” Kane said, noting he has an early Tuesday flight back to Munich in time for team training.
Monday’s ceremony was held in London for the first time in recognition of the inaugural winner 70 years ago, England’s Stanley Matthews in 1956.
Earlier, Spain star Alexia Putellas won her record-equaling third women’s Ballon d’Or after leading her former club Barcelona to multiple trophies last season including the Women’s Champions League.
Putellas, who joined London City Lionesses in the offseason, also helped Spain win the Women’s Nations League last December.
The 32-year-old midfielder ended Spain teammate Aitana Bonmati’s three-year reign.
Putellas won the prestigious award in 2021 and 2022, tore her ACL and saw Bonmati rise to stardom. Bonmati, who completed her women’s Ballon d’Or three-peat in 2025, was not on this year’s shortlist after breaking her leg in December.
There wasn’t a women’s Ballon d’Or until 2018, when Ada Hegerberg won it.
Putellas urged young players to approach the sport with “love and passion.”
“Believe in yourself, that’s the most important thing,” she said. “If you have a dream, go for it, even if at some point you have to start from zero.”
Putellas had joined Barcelona in 2012 and called her time at the Catalan club “something special.”
“I'm really grateful for having 14 seasons as a player (at Barcelona),” she said. “What I experienced last year was like a perfect story.”
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
England's soccer player Harry Kane wins the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
England's soccer player Harry Kane and Spain's Alexia Putellas win the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Spain's London City Lionesses' Alexia Putellas wins the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Spain's London City Lionesses' Alexia Putellas wins the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
England's soccer player Harry Kane wins the trophy for striker of the year during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
England's soccer player Harry Kane wins the trophy for striker of the year during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
