Trump Calls Judge "Insane" as DOJ Seeks Her Recusal in Golf Course Case

On October 19, 2026, President Trump called U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes a "crazed lunatic" on social media and asked whether she "may be insane," hours after Justice Department official Stanley Woodward moved for her recusal from a case over East Potomac Park's golf courses. Woodward argued Reyes showed bias after she criticized government lawyers for removing more than 500 trees from the park without notice she had required during ongoing litigation. Reyes denied the motion overnight, writing that "it is easy to weaponize selective quotations to bring a baseless recusal motion." The suit, brought by the D.C. Preservation League, challenges plans to rebuild the courses into a championship-style facility; Trump has said renovations begin November 15.

A judge refusing to step aside after a public presidential attack, paired with DOJ's attempt to remove her from a case touching the president's own project, tests judicial independence from executive pressure, as does whether officials evaded a standing court order while the suit proceeds.

Reyes has ordered Woodward and two Interior officials to testify on whether tree removal was timed around a holiday weekend despite her notice requirement. No ruling has issued on the recusal motion or the underlying case.