Following sharp public criticism from President Donald Trump calling her a 'crazed lunatic,' U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes presided over a seven-hour hearing on October 19, 2026, regarding the Trump administration's plan to redevelop Washington's East Potomac Golf Links. After demanding Justice Department attorneys sign a brief under Rule 11, Reyes backed down and withdrew her request. The legal dispute follows the removal of over 400 trees at the site.
East Potomac Park redevelopment plans and lawsuit
- ▪President Donald Trump announced on October 18, 2026, that East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. will close on November 15, 2026, for 15 months of renovations designed by architect Tom Fazio.
- ▪The D.C. Preservation League, alongside local golfers and civic groups, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's redevelopment plans for East Potomac Park.
Tree removals and restraining order
- ▪U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes issued a temporary restraining order blocking further tree removals at East Potomac Golf Links following the October 10, 2026 clearings.
- ▪National Park Service workers removed approximately 430 trees at East Potomac Golf Links over the weekend of October 10, 2026.
Evidentiary hearing on redevelopment disclosures
- ▪Interior Department Deputy Chief of Staff Gregory Wischer and acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron testified during the October 19, 2026 hearing before U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes.
- ▪U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes held a nearly seven-hour evidentiary hearing on October 19, 2026, to examine whether the Trump administration kept redevelopment plans for East Potomac Golf Links from the court.
Trump attacks on Judge Reyes
- ▪President Donald Trump stated on October 19, 2026, that courthouse audio recordings of U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes would reveal her conduct and had been blocked from usage by the judge.
- ▪President Donald Trump published a social media post on October 19, 2026, calling U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes a 'crazed lunatic' who 'may be insane.'
Recusal motion and denial
- ▪Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. filed a motion on behalf of the Justice Department seeking the recusal of U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes from the East Potomac golf course case.
- ▪U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes issued an order on October 18, 2026, denying the Justice Department's recusal motion and citing court transcripts to rebut allegations of judicial bias.
Rule 11 order and withdrawal
- ▪U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes withdrew her demand for Justice Department attorneys to sign the October 18 brief at the end of the October 19, 2026 hearing.
- ▪U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes invoked Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 on October 19, 2026, ordering Justice Department attorneys to sign a brief submitted by Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr.
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