Trump Calls Judge a 'Crazed Lunatic' as Court Fight Over D.C. Golf Course Heats Up

President Donald Trump's push to rebuild the historic East Potomac Golf Links in Washington has turned into an open clash with the federal judge hearing the case, after Trump called U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes a "crazed lunatic" and she signaled she may keep blocking work at the site.

"The judge on the case is a crazed lunatic whose courthouse tapes will reveal, may be insane?" Trump wrote on Truth Social early Monday. "The experts at 'Interior' are allowed to do this First Class renovation 'as of right.' They do not need an approval. Work is scheduled to begin IMMEDIATELY!"

The Trees at the Center of the Case

The lawsuit was filed in February by the DC Preservation League and two Washington residents against the Interior Department and the National Park Service. They allege Trump's plan would turn the century-old site's three courses into a single championship-style course and change its public character.

In May, Reyes ordered the government to give notice before major work, including removing more than 10 trees. On Friday, Oct. 9, just before Columbus Day weekend, officials told the court they planned to remove up to 529 trees. About 430 were cut the next day, according to the New York Post. Reyes then ordered a halt to tree removal through at least Oct. 26.

On Sunday, Trump announced a plan by golf course architect Tom Fazio, saying the course would close Nov. 15. He has called the existing course "old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect."

A Seven-Hour Hearing

At a seven-hour hearing Monday, Justice Department lawyers maintained there is no final renovation plan. "There is no plan to close the course," Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward told the judge, according to NBC News. Acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron testified that she first heard of the planned closure from Trump's post.

Reyes said she has already found the government acted in "bad faith" and indicated she plans to extend her order. "Do I believe the president of the United States or do I believe you?" she asked government lawyers, NPR reported. The hearing ended without a ruling.

Trump told reporters Monday the course is "old, tired, beaten up," adding, "We want to do something great for Washington."

Recusal Bid Denied

The Justice Department had asked Reyes, a Biden appointee, to step aside, arguing that her "histrionics in prior hearings have clearly demonstrated she is no longer impartial." She denied the request Sunday.

"Not sudden onset bias," Reyes wrote. "Instead, the Government decided to remove over 500 healthy, non-invasive trees from East Potomac Golf Course."

At the end of Monday's hearing, Reyes said her family had heard reports that she was receiving death threats. "That a federal judge is getting death threats over a golf course — I really don't think that's what the founders envisioned," she said.

Hold Everyone Accountable.

Sources: NBC News, "Judge leans toward extending halt on tree clearing at golf course where Trump says redesign should start 'immediately'" (Oct. 20, 2026): https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/judge-tree-clearing-dc-golf-course-trump-renovation-east-potomac-park-rcna604351 ; NPR, "Judge chastises Trump administration plan to push ahead overhaul of DC golf course": https://www.npr.org/2026/10/19/nx-s1-6007746/golf-course-potomac-white-house-tree-removal ; New York Post, "Trump unveils 15-month plan to renovate historic DC golf course" (Oct. 18, 2026): https://nypost.com/2026/10/18/us-news/president-trump-unveils-plans-to-renovate-historic-dc-golf-course/ ; The Hill, "Who is Ana Reyes, federal judge Trump called a 'crazed lunatic'?" (Oct. 20, 2026): https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/6161270-ana-reyes-federal-judge/