Judge declines to recuse self in dispute on Trump's DC golf course renovation

"The Government has not met its burden to demonstrate that the Court’s actions and words demand disqualification," Reyes wrote. "Motion DENIED."

Published: October 19, 2026 1:33pm

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes on Monday declined to recuse herself from a dispute on President Donald Trump's renovation of a Washington, D.C., golf course.

"The Government has not met its burden to demonstrate that the Court’s actions and words demand disqualification," Reyes wrote. "Motion DENIED."

The case itself comes as the D.C. Preservation League seeks to block the renovation of the East Potomac Golf Course. 

Reyes's order specifically broke down the government's complaints against her, highlighting that she had praised the competence of the government's attorneys and repeatedly sided with the administration at various stages of the case.

The judge then attributed the government's request that she recuse herself to frustration with her decision to grant a temporary restraining order (TRO) against further renovations.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.

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