Justice Department Seeks Judge’s Removal in East Potomac Park Tree Case
The Justice Department has asked Judge Ana C. Reyes to recuse herself from the East Potomac Park case, accusing her of hostility toward the government. The request follows her restraining order blocking further tree removal after 430 healthy trees were cut down. Reyes had criticized the government for not providing notice and questioned its credibility.
At the center is a February suit by the D.C. Preservation League, which sought to block Interior Department renovations tied to a golf course project at the century-old East Potomac Park site. Government lawyers had promised advance notice before major changes; in May, Reyes said plaintiffs should learn of anything larger than her sedan. On Oct. 9, the government disclosed plans to remove 529 trees—about 13% of the site—at 4:55 p.m., and roughly 430 came down over two days, the restraining order says.
The DOJ motion says Reyes belittled and shouted at its attorney and cited her remark that the government cannot be trusted. Plaintiffs opposed recusal and supported releasing hearing audio.
The recusal fight may shape how much notice federal agencies give before acting in cases involving public lands and historic sites. If the judge stays, her scrutiny could affect the pace of the golf course project and similar federal undertakings; if she is replaced, plaintiffs may face a different procedural posture. Local park users, preservation advocates, and government attorneys could all see changed expectations about transparency and judicial oversight, though the ultimate legal effect remains uncertain.