Biden-Appointed Judge Scolds DOJ Over Tree Removal at D.C. Golf Course
Federal Judge Ana Reyes expressed outrage over the timing and execution of tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links, citing a loss of credibility for the Justice Department.
A federal judge appointed by President Biden sharply rebuked Justice Department lawyers on Monday over the rapid removal of trees at the East Potomac Golf Links, a historic public golf course in Washington D.C. Judge Ana Reyes expressed anger over the government's notification process, stating, "You've lost all credibility!"
The emergency hearing addressed the removal of approximately 430 trees from the golf course, a project initiated by the Trump administration's plan to redesign the facility. Journalist Scott MacFarlane, reporting from the courtroom, described Judge Reyes as "screaming" at administration attorneys after learning that the tree removal began on a Saturday, following notification late on a Friday.
The administration contends that the tree removal is part of a 2019 National Park Service landscape restoration plan that predates Trump's redesign proposal. However, preservationists and progressive groups are challenging the project, arguing that environmental and historic-preservation requirements have not been met.
Judge Reyes, who was appointed in 2023, has a history of confrontational encounters with the Trump administration. Previously, she drew a formal misconduct complaint from Trump's Justice Department for alleged bias. In one instance, she questioned a Trump administration attorney about religious beliefs during litigation over transgender military service, calling the ban "biologically inaccurate." In another case, she ruled that Trump violated federal notice requirements when firing inspectors general, though she declined to reinstate them.
During Monday's hearing, Reyes pressed government counsel on the timeline of their knowledge of the tree-removal operation. When a government lawyer indicated they had learned of it on October 8 or 9 and were awaiting details, Reyes reportedly demanded to know if they possessed email or a cell phone, highlighting her frustration with the delayed communication.
Norm Eisen, a former Obama ethics lawyer and member of the Democracy Defenders Fund, which is part of the legal resistance to the Trump administration's plans, tweeted about the court's agreement to hear the case on an "emergency’ basis.
Preservationists argue the administration has not fulfilled necessary environmental and historic-preservation mandates, while the administration maintains the tree removal is authorized landscape management distinct from the proposed renovation of the golf links.