President Trump’s efforts to renovate a public D.C. golf course have provoked another example of the Justice Department’s insolence toward district courts.
First, the Hains Point golf course is historic and part of a national park unit. It should remain open and affordable to anyone, especially those in the DC area.
Second, yes, DOJ's insolence toward U.S. district judges is unbelievable. Another example involving a national park... the Oct.16, 2026 notice that DOJ filed in the Big Bend National Park litigation, Friends of the Ruidosa Church v. Mullin, states, "If a decision is not issued by that date [Oct. 21], Defendants will treat the absence of a ruling as a constructive denial of the motion and proceed with seeking relief in the United States Supreme Court."
Thank you for this instructive and important discussion. In my view, the reaction of Judge Reyes to the behavior of the administration and DOJ was fully warranted. And needed. I hope other courts including the Supreme Court will call out behavior that is unbecoming of the administration and DOJ and inconsistent with being respectful of court orders. Finally, I fear that the behavior is directly tied to and the result of the Supreme Court’s decision effectively allowing the president immunity. The administration believes it can do whatever it deems appropriate without recourse.
No good deed goes unpunished, ever, with this crew. Judge Reyes had every right and reason to grant injunctive relief. See, e.g., the East Wing debacle. That she didn't evidences her desire to be fair and impartial.
P.S. (and ever so slightly off topic): The golf course case does not implicate national security or serious economic issues. It does, however, demonstrate that DJT is either: (a) clueless about what gives people pleasure and joy, or (b) goes out of his way to take pleasure and joy away from them. DC residents want what they've got, not an overpriced and overly challenging golf course.
What is missing from this discussion is the underlying political issue. The course that Trump is using as a depot for the remains of the East wing and the issues in this case is the course that has historically served the ordinary citizens of DC especially those living in South West DC The park in North West DC is the playground of Trumps and friends class and is untouchable in the beautification program. This disparity in treatment makes the Administration’s treatment of the Judge even more contemptuous and the name and gender of the Judge only confirm that this is a political as well as Legal Issu
Steve -- you might have noted in your excellent post that only Associate AG Woodward signed the disqualification motion and last night's ridiculous response to Trump's post contradicting the representations DOJ counsel have made to the court to argue that no decision has been made about the project. That is even more damning than the lack of substance in Woodward's pleadings.
Minor correction: the Washington case is about transgender girls, not transgender women. For some reason, a lot of people refer to transfem high school athletes as women rather than girls, in error.
When the Supreme Court tells you that you cannot commit crimes, what does anyone expect? When the Supreme Court grants your extraordinary motions for emergency relief when all precedent says otherwise, what does anyone expect?
And it's not likely to get better. Johnny Roberts and his merry band of Unitary Executives are going to experience Gambler's Fallacy with Trump's actions: they'll feel obligated to keep allowing him to trash the judiciary and their own credibility because reversing Slaughter or even Trump v. US would seem like wasting those decisions. So, double-down and double-down and double-down more until they have no credibility. Which is why expanding the court will seem more credible by the day.
First, the Hains Point golf course is historic and part of a national park unit. It should remain open and affordable to anyone, especially those in the DC area.
Second, yes, DOJ's insolence toward U.S. district judges is unbelievable. Another example involving a national park... the Oct.16, 2026 notice that DOJ filed in the Big Bend National Park litigation, Friends of the Ruidosa Church v. Mullin, states, "If a decision is not issued by that date [Oct. 21], Defendants will treat the absence of a ruling as a constructive denial of the motion and proceed with seeking relief in the United States Supreme Court."
Those words ought to have the lawyer who signed the notice showing up before the Court at an Order to Show Cause hearing re: a contempt citation.
Thank you for this instructive and important discussion. In my view, the reaction of Judge Reyes to the behavior of the administration and DOJ was fully warranted. And needed. I hope other courts including the Supreme Court will call out behavior that is unbecoming of the administration and DOJ and inconsistent with being respectful of court orders. Finally, I fear that the behavior is directly tied to and the result of the Supreme Court’s decision effectively allowing the president immunity. The administration believes it can do whatever it deems appropriate without recourse.
No good deed goes unpunished, ever, with this crew. Judge Reyes had every right and reason to grant injunctive relief. See, e.g., the East Wing debacle. That she didn't evidences her desire to be fair and impartial.
P.S. (and ever so slightly off topic): The golf course case does not implicate national security or serious economic issues. It does, however, demonstrate that DJT is either: (a) clueless about what gives people pleasure and joy, or (b) goes out of his way to take pleasure and joy away from them. DC residents want what they've got, not an overpriced and overly challenging golf course.
What is missing from this discussion is the underlying political issue. The course that Trump is using as a depot for the remains of the East wing and the issues in this case is the course that has historically served the ordinary citizens of DC especially those living in South West DC The park in North West DC is the playground of Trumps and friends class and is untouchable in the beautification program. This disparity in treatment makes the Administration’s treatment of the Judge even more contemptuous and the name and gender of the Judge only confirm that this is a political as well as Legal Issu
Steve -- you might have noted in your excellent post that only Associate AG Woodward signed the disqualification motion and last night's ridiculous response to Trump's post contradicting the representations DOJ counsel have made to the court to argue that no decision has been made about the project. That is even more damning than the lack of substance in Woodward's pleadings.
Minor correction: the Washington case is about transgender girls, not transgender women. For some reason, a lot of people refer to transfem high school athletes as women rather than girls, in error.
When the Supreme Court tells you that you cannot commit crimes, what does anyone expect? When the Supreme Court grants your extraordinary motions for emergency relief when all precedent says otherwise, what does anyone expect?
And it's not likely to get better. Johnny Roberts and his merry band of Unitary Executives are going to experience Gambler's Fallacy with Trump's actions: they'll feel obligated to keep allowing him to trash the judiciary and their own credibility because reversing Slaughter or even Trump v. US would seem like wasting those decisions. So, double-down and double-down and double-down more until they have no credibility. Which is why expanding the court will seem more credible by the day.
Antonio’s????