A federal judge this week pressed the Trump administration to provide stronger assurances that it will not move forward with a sweeping renovation of Washington's historic East Potomac Golf Links before the court can rule on a lawsuit challenging the project, citing President Donald Trump's public pledge to begin construction Sept. 1.

U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes questioned Justice Department attorneys during a hearing after Trump announced on social media that work on the National Park Service-owned course would begin Sept. 1, raising concerns the administration could act before the plaintiffs have an opportunity to seek emergency relief.

"I don't want a destroyed East Wing, I don't want a destroyed Reflecting Pool, or whatever, before [the plaintiffs] are able to come back to me and ask for relief," Reyes said.

The lawsuit was filed by two Washington-area golfers and the DC Preservation League, which contend the administration is unlawfully fast-tracking a major redevelopment of the century-old municipal golf course without complying with federal environmental and historic preservation requirements.

The plaintiffs argue the project could violate the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the law establishing East Potomac Park as public recreational land. They contend the government has failed to complete the reviews required before undertaking such a significant redevelopment.

During Thursday's hearing, Reyes repeatedly questioned whether Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had instructed officials to meet Trump's publicly announced Sept. 1 construction date.

Government attorney Michael Robertson said he was unaware of any official deadline beyond Trump's social media posts and maintained the administration had not made a final decision about proceeding with the project.

Reyes expressed skepticism.

"We don't live in Schrödinger's golf course. The cat is alive or the cat is dead, unless you believe in multiple universes."

Despite her concerns, Reyes indicated she was not yet prepared to halt the project.

"I don't want to file an injunction," she said. "And I'm not there yet."

The judge added that she was not prepared to assume federal agencies would act in bad faith, but sought additional commitments to ensure any major work would not begin before the court could address the legal challenge. The judge directed the parties to work toward an agreement that would provide notice before significant construction begins.

Trump unveiled the renovation proposal after touring East Potomac Golf Links with golf architect Tom Fazio. The president said the redesigned facility could become a championship-caliber course capable of hosting major professional tournaments.

Photographs from Trump's visit appeared to show detailed design plans that would replace the existing 36-hole municipal layout with a single championship course while expanding golf facilities into portions of East Potomac Park now used for other public recreation.

Critics have also raised concerns that the proposal could eliminate historic cherry trees, recreational trails and other public amenities.

East Potomac Golf Links, which opened in 1919, is one of the Washington area's busiest public golf facilities and is located on federally protected parkland managed by the National Park Service.

The broader dispute is part of an ongoing legal battle over the Trump administration's efforts to reshape prominent federal properties in the nation's capital.