# DOJ official clashes with judge over Trump golf course trees

> D.C. judge confronts DOJ over tree removal at Trump's golf course after social media attack.
- Title: DOJ official clashes with judge over Trump golf course trees
- Summary: D.C. judge confronts DOJ over tree removal at Trump's golf course after social media attack. D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered testimony from DOJ…
- Keywords: d.c. district judge, ana reyes, east potomac golf course, doj, gregory wischer, jessica bowron, trump administration, columbus day, tree removal, cultural landscape report, 2019 landscape report, east potomac golf links
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/trump-golf-course-doj-official-clashes-judge-dc-case-attacks/19956278
- Published: 2026-10-19T19:54:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: d.c. district judge, ana reyes, east potomac golf course, doj, gregory wischer, jessica bowron, trump administration, columbus day, tree removal, cultural landscape report, 2019 landscape report, east potomac golf links
## D.C. judge orders testimony
D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered testimony from Interior Department official Gregory Wischer and acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron.
## Tree removal without notice
The government removed more than 500 trees from East Potomac Golf Course on Columbus Day weekend without giving the judge advance notice.
## Judge questions government motive
Reyes accused the government of bad faith for using a 2019 Cultural Landscape Report to justify tree removal despite Trump's social media posts about renovations.
## Trump attacks judge
Trump criticized Reyes in a social media post after she rejected a Justice Department motion to disqualify her from the case.
## DOJ official defends tree removal
Wischer claimed the tree removals were about 'cleaning up the course' and not tied to Trump's renovation efforts.

> cleaning up the course
## Judge blocks construction
Reyes is currently blocking the administration from proceeding with any major construction on the golf course.
## Key takeaway

D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered testimony from DOJ officials after Trump administration removed trees from East Potomac Golf Course without advance notice.