Justice Department moves to recuse judge in East Potomac Golf Course lawsuit

The Justice Department on Friday submitted a motion asking that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes be removed from a lawsuit challenging the administration's plan to overhaul the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C. The filing describes the judge's conduct as "egregious" and claims she shows "deep-seated and unequivocal antipathy" toward the administration.

The motion references a hearing earlier in the week during which Judge Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, expressed frustration that the administration had cut down 169 trees without prior court notification, stating the government "can't be trusted." The department argues that a federal judge must maintain the appearance of impartiality and that Reyes has failed to do so.

The lawsuit was brought by a preservationist group and two local golfers who contend that the proposed renovation, which would involve clearing roughly 730 trees, exceeds routine maintenance and threatens the historic character of the course. Federal officials describe the tree removal as standard safety work.

In the filing, the Justice Department also criticized the judge for requiring senior officials to attend the Monday hearing, alleging that this demonstrates a disregard for their time and for separation-of-powers principles.

The administration’s request is part of an ongoing legal dispute over the president's broader effort to reshape Washington, D.C.'s physical landscape through multiple construction projects.