Justice Department Seeks Judge Reyes's Recusal in Trump Golf Course Case After 4-Hour Clash
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 17
Justice Department Seeks Judge Reyes's Recusal in Trump Golf Course Case After 4-Hour Clash
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 17
Summary
Friday's motion asked Judge Ana C. Reyes to step aside from the lawsuit over East Potomac Golf Links, accusing her of animus toward the Trump administration and improper treatment of a Justice Department lawyer.
The filing followed a 4-hour hearing Monday after preservationists said the administration had abruptly cleared hundreds of trees with less than 24 hours' notice despite Reyes's warning against surprise work.
Reyes, angered by the apparent holiday-weekend clearing, pressed for who ordered it and summoned two Interior officials—Gregory Wischer and acting National Park Service director Jessica Bowron—to testify on Oct. 19.
Stanley Woodward Jr. argued that order showed disregard for senior officials' schedules and lacked a compelling need, turning the dispute into a broader confrontation over judicial oversight of Trump's agenda.
Reyes ordered the plaintiffs to respond by Sunday afternoon and did not say whether she would recuse herself.