The Justice Department has moved to disqualify U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes from a lawsuit over the Trump administration's plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links. The motion follows a heated hearing where Reyes ordered top Interior Department and National Park Service officials to testify after hundreds of trees were abruptly cut down. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. alleged judicial bias and mistreatment of government attorneys.
Justice Department motion to disqualify judge
- ▪In the Justice Department's October 16, 2026 filing, Stanley Woodward Jr. argued that ordering senior administration officials to testify reflected systematic disregard for Trump administration schedules without demonstrating compelling need
- ▪The Justice Department filed a motion on October 16, 2026 seeking to disqualify U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes from presiding over a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's redevelopment of East Potomac Golf Links
- ▪In the Justice Department's recusal filing, Stanley Woodward Jr. stated that Judge Ana C. Reyes repeatedly belittled and shouted at Justice Department lawyer Marissa Piropato during a court proceeding on Monday
- ▪Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. accused Judge Ana C. Reyes of exhibiting a pattern of bias and animus against the Trump administration
Orders for upcoming court proceedings
- ▪Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered Interior Department appointee Gregory Wischer and acting National Park Service director Jessica Bowron to appear and testify at an October 19, 2026 hearing
- ▪Judge Ana C. Reyes directed preservationists and Washingtonians who sued over East Potomac Golf Links to file a response to the Justice Department's recusal motion by October 18, 2026
Unannounced tree clearing at golf course
- ▪Preservationists and Washingtonians notified Judge Ana C. Reyes on October 12, 2026 that the Trump administration had abruptly cleared hundreds of trees at East Potomac Golf Links over a holiday weekend
- ▪During a four-hour hearing on October 12, 2026, Judge Ana C. Reyes called two Interior Department officials to testify on the spot regarding who authorized tree clearing at East Potomac Golf Links
- ▪Judge Ana C. Reyes previously ordered the federal government not to carry out any surprise work on East Potomac Golf Links ahead of its planned renovation
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