Trump Administration Seeks Judge’s Recusal in D.C. Tree Removal Case

Request for Judge’s Recusal

The Trump administration has requested that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes be removed from a case involving the cutting of trees at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. The Justice Department, representing the administration, accuses Judge Reyes of disparaging government lawyers and questioning their competence during the proceedings. They argue that her conduct in the October 12 hearing exhibits bias against the Trump administration and violates separation-of-powers principles.

Details of the Case

The lawsuit, D.C. Preservation League v. Department of Interior, was initiated by the D.C. Preservation League and local residents. They oppose the recusal motion, finding no grounds for disqualification. The Justice Department’s filing accuses Reyes of having belittled and shouted at a government attorney, labeling these actions as part of a broader repeated hostility towards the administration in prior cases.

Dispute Over Tree Removal

The conflict involves the removal of hundreds of trees at East Potomac Golf Links, a historic course Trump aims to redesign. The National Park Service began cutting trees following a notification to the court on October 9. Around 430 healthy trees were removed, prompting Judge Reyes to issue a temporary halt to further removals.

Judge Reyes criticized government attorneys, stating the episode had damaged the administration’s credibility, and extended the ban on tree removal through October 26. She noted discrepancies in the reasoning, budget, and environmental study, and questioned the urgency of the tree clearing, citing risks of further removals.

Legal Actions and Allegations

The lawsuit challenges whether the administration’s plans for East Potomac Golf Links followed federal procedures. The Interior Department claims the removals align with a 2019 landscape plan to address tree overgrowth, not Trump’s redesign vision. Plaintiffs argue the government failed to adhere to environmental-review regulations.

Conflict Over Judicial Procedures

The Justice Department objects to Reyes’s requirement for senior administration officials to testify regarding the authorization of the tree removal. Reyes summoned Gregory Wischer and Jessica Bowron to provide testimony under oath. The DOJ contends that demanding high-ranking officials’ testimony disregards separation-of-powers principles.

This filing marks a reversal: following accusations of the administration losing credibility, the DOJ now accuses Judge Reyes of compromising her capacity to impartially preside over the case.