President Trump said work to overhaul the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D. C., would begin immediately, escalating a legal clash with federal Judge Ana C. Reyes, who has halted tree cutting at the course. Mr. Trump called Judge Reyes, an appointee of President Joseph R.
Biden Jr., a "crazed lunatic" and demanded release of courthouse audio from a recent hearing. Judge Reyes ordered parks officials to stop removing trees until Oct. 26 and asked top administration officials to attend a Monday court hearing. The Interior Department had already cleared hundreds of trees from the course.
On Sunday, Mr. Trump announced the course would close for a 14-month renovation starting Nov. 15. Judge Reyes rejected the Justice Department's request that she recuse herself, ruling the administration failed to meet the legal standard for bias. She noted the court had not previously barred the government from acting at the course and urged parties to reach an agreement rather than seek preemptive injunctions.
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