U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes opened a formal investigation on October 30, 2026 into whether Justice Department attorneys misled her court regarding plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Course. The probe follows abrupt tree removals on October 10 and contradictory assertions about a November 15 closure date. While President Donald Trump called Reyes a crazed lunatic and demanded immediate construction, DOJ officials face potential sanctions after admitting park closure plans are already in progress.
Investigation into Justice Department conduct
- ▪The investigation into Justice Department conduct regarding East Potomac Golf Course could lead to sanctions and may be handled by a court-appointed special master, though Judge Ana Reyes stated she was not yet finding that lawyers lied
- ▪Judge Ana Reyes ordered Justice Department attorneys to retain all documents related to the East Potomac Golf Course litigation
- ▪During a three-hour court hearing on October 30, 2026, Judge Ana Reyes began by reading D.C. Bar professional conduct rules on candor directly to Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward
- ▪U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes opened a formal investigation into whether Justice Department attorneys lied to the court or violated ethics rules regarding Donald Trump's plans for East Potomac Park
Stanley Woodward's responses and recusal motion
- ▪Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward told Judge Ana Reyes he could not opine on Donald Trump's statements or explain his interpretation of the president's posts regarding closing East Potomac Park
- ▪Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward filed a motion demanding Judge Ana Reyes recuse herself from the East Potomac Park case, alleging she displayed open hostility and antipathy toward the Trump administration
Lawsuit over East Potomac tree removal
- ▪Judge Ana Reyes determined that government officials intentionally timed the sudden removal of hundreds of trees at East Potomac Golf Course on October 10 to evade judicial review
- ▪Government workers abruptly removed more than 400 trees
- ▪Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary injunction on October 26, 2026 requiring 10 days' notice before any irreparable modification or further tree removal occurs at East Potomac Golf Course
- ▪The D.C. Preservation League and two golfers filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from replacing the public park at East Potomac Golf Links with a new golf course
Donald Trump's social media comments
- ▪Donald Trump stated on social media on October 19, 2026 that the Department of the Interior wants to redesign the East Potomac golf course immediately and called Judge Ana Reyes a crazed lunatic
- ▪Donald Trump claimed on social media that his proposed Washington, D.C. golf course renovation does not require approval and will generate income and prestige for the district
Government plans to close park
- ▪The National Park Service submitted plans on October 30, 2026 for a championship-level golf course at East Potomac Park capable of hosting major events, with park closure scheduled for November 15, 2026
- ▪The Justice Department disclosed in court filings during the week of October 26, 2026 that plans to close East Potomac Park on November 15, 2026 are currently in progress
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