Judge Ana Reyes rejects DOJ bid to disqualify her from East Potomac Golf case

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has rejected a motion by the Department of Justice to disqualify her from a legal battle regarding President Trump’s plans to renovate the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. The administration had sought her recusal, alleging she displayed “deep and unequivocal antipathy” toward the government and could not serve as an impartial arbiter.

The conflict escalated after Judge Reyes expressed fury during a recent hearing, stating she was “beyond disappointed” that federal officials began clearing hundreds of trees from the course over a holiday weekend without prior notification to the court. While the administration characterized the tree removal as routine maintenance for a proposed championship-level course, Reyes noted that crews removed nearly 430 trees in a single day following less than 24 hours of notice.

In her 13-page opinion, Reyes denied the recusal request, stating the government failed to meet the high legal standard required for disqualification. She noted that her anger regarding the administration’s conduct in the case does not, by itself, constitute a lack of impartiality. The lawsuit was brought by a group of preservationists and local golfers challenging the transformation of the historic public course.