Justice Department seeks recusal of judge in East Potomac Golf Course case
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The Justice Department asked that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes be removed from a lawsuit over the administration's plan to redevelop the East Potomac Golf Course, saying her remarks and actions show clear hostility toward the administration.
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 says the judge's conduct was "egregious" and alleges she has shown "deep-seated and unequivocal antipathy" toward the administration.
The motion cites a hearing earlier in the week in which Judge Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, expressed frustration after the administration had cut down 169 trees without prior court notification, saying 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 argue that the proposed renovation, which would involve clearing roughly 730 trees, goes beyond 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, saying that this shows 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.