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Politics · October 19, 2026

Trump Golf Course Dispute Sparks Clash Between Judge and DOJ

4 sources →

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has declined a Justice Department request to recuse herself from a lawsuit involving President Trump’s planned renovations of the East Potomac Golf Links. The dispute centers on the removal of over 500 trees, which the administration claims was routine maintenance based on a 2019 report, while the judge and the D.C. Preservation League question if the actions were an attempt to bypass a temporary restraining order. President Trump has publicly attacked the judge as biased and insane, stating that renovations would proceed regardless of the legal challenges.

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Reported across the spectrum

  • Judge Ana Reyes denied a DOJ motion to recuse herself from the East Potomac Golf Course case.
  • The Trump administration removed over 500 trees from the course during Columbus Day weekend.
  • A temporary restraining order is currently in place barring significant alterations to the course.
  • The D.C. Preservation League is the plaintiff seeking to block the renovation.
  • President Trump has publicly criticized Judge Reyes on social media regarding the case.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Judge Reyes ordered testimony from Interior Department official Gregory Wischer and NPS acting Director Jessica Bowron.
  • Trump announced that full-scale renovations would begin on November 15th (ABC News) or 'immediately' (Washington Examiner).
  • Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward and Judge Reyes clashed over why DOJ lawyers refused to sign recent legal briefs.
  • The administration cited a 2019 Cultural Landscape Report as the justification for tree removal.
  • The judge previously praised the competence of government attorneys in earlier stages of the case.

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