Federal judge withdraws order targeting Justice Department in golf course case

Federal Judge Ana Reyes reversed her order requiring the Department of Justice to refile a brief detailing which career attorneys agreed with it, the Washington Examiner reported. The decision followed a hearing on Monday concerning plans to renovate East Potomac Park golf course that lasted more than six hours, according to the Washington Examiner and the New York Times. [1][5][10]

Judge Reyes withdrew the directive shortly after issuing it during a tense court session, saying she spoke with her clerks and thought about the matter more, according to the Washington Examiner. A lawyer for the Trump administration had criticized the initial requirement from the bench as untenable, the Washington Examiner reported. [1]

Government lawyers clashed directly with Judge Reyes during the hearing over witness testimony regarding decisions about East Potomac Golf Links, according to the New York Times. Politico, ABC News, and the Washington Times also reported sharp exchanges between the judge and Department of Justice officials, with Judge Reyes stating she could remain fair after declining calls to recuse herself. [2][5][8][9][10][11][12]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Judge Reyes previously issued a temporary halt on tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links after the National Park Service removed around 500 trees at the site in a dispute involving the Trump administration and historic preservationists. [16]