DC judge orders new golf course hearing after Trump vows to push ahead with redevelopment
The remarkable part here is that a judge is calling a new hearing because of a social media post. Judges usually rule on motions and evidence, not on what a president tweets about a case. But when the president of the United States publicly vows to push ahead with a project a court just halted, it raises a legitimate question about whether the ruling will be respected. That's not a small thing.
East Potomac Park is public land with a long history, and the preservationist group that won the injunction clearly has standing concerns. But Trump also has a point that federal property can be put to new uses, and presidents have broad authority over it. The question is whether that authority extends to ignoring a court order while the case is pending.
I'd want to know what the judge plans to ask at the new hearing. Is she testing whether the administration intends to comply, or is she gathering more facts? Either way, this is a test of how the branches check each other, and it's worth watching closely.