DOJ Seeks to Remove Judge Who Halted Trump's Golf-Course Tree Cutting

The Justice Department wants a new judge in the fight over tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Links, days after U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes halted further removals. Crews had already cut hundreds of trees at the public Washington course President Donald Trump wants to remake.

The government’s October 16 motion asks Reyes to disqualify herself and seeks public release of audio from an October 12 hearing. It argues that her comments and handling of the case demonstrate bias. The motion seeks a transfer of the case to another judge.

How the trees became the immediate fight

The broader lawsuit was brought by the D.C. Preservation League and two golfers challenging the administration’s plans for the course. Trump has discussed turning it into a championship venue capable of hosting major tournaments, AP reported.

The plaintiffs argue that irreversible work should not proceed without required environmental and historic-preservation reviews. Democracy Forward, which represents them, says the government had promised advance notice before such changes.

The National Park Service filed notice late Friday, October 9, before the holiday weekend. Crews began cutting the following morning. AP reported that at least 400 trees were removed, with several hundred more slated for removal.

The administration said the work was maintenance grounded in a 2019 landscape report, rather than implementation of Trump’s larger redesign. Reyes questioned that explanation, finding on the limited record before her that the haste appeared connected to the president’s project, according to AP.

The government challenges the judge’s conduct

Reyes initially imposed a short pause. On October 13, she barred further tree cutting through October 26 and required three business days’ written notice before irreversible changes to permanent features of the course.

In seeking her removal, DOJ points to her criticism of the government’s credibility and her demands for officials’ testimony during the holiday hearing. It argues that witnesses were required to appear without adequate notice and that her conduct created an appearance of partiality, Law&Crime reported.

The motion also accuses her of prejudging matters before they were formally presented. Those asserted grounds concern who should oversee the case; the underlying dispute remains whether the work can proceed and under what conditions.

The plaintiffs are seeking protection beyond the temporary pause. Democracy Forward says its aim is to preserve the site while the required reviews and public process take place.

Golf Channel reported October 17 that the plaintiffs oppose recusal and leave release of the hearing audio to the court’s discretion. A further hearing is scheduled for October 19 at 10 a.m. Eastern, according to the outlet. The existing tree-cutting pause runs through October 26.

References: DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISQUALIFY JUDGE ANA C. REYES AND TO AUTHORIZE RELEASE OF HEARING AUDIO | ‘Disdain for the government’: Trump admin moves to disqualify judge in golf course case by accusing her of ‘histrionics’ and ‘animosity’ | Federal judge orders Trump administration to halt work on historic DC golf course until Oct. 26 | Court Orders Stop to Tree Removal at East Potomac Park | Trump administration seeks to remove judge in D.C. golf course case