A federal judge erupted with anger in court on Monday after learning that over 430 trees, many of which were historically significant cherry blossoms, had been cut down at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. These trees were under protection from a court order, which the Trump administration disregarded just before a holiday weekend. Judge Ana Reyes expressed her outrage during a hearing, stating, "What has happened has cost the government all of its credibility!" Her fury erupted when administration lawyers admitted to the tree removals without prior notification, sparking a chain of questions about the administration's intentions and communications.

Takeaways Up Front 1. A Ukrainian drone strike suspended Yandex’s data center in Vladimir early October 11, the third hit on the Russian firm’s server