What The Meaning Of “Is,” Is

Judge Reyes wastes no time She begins hearing reading rules that prevent lawyers from misrepresenting facts and positions to the court (For days, Justice Dept said there was no plan to close East Potomac Park on Nov 15... Then this week, they changed their story)

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

Or, how to destroy the DOJ in less than 2 years.

Justice Dept lawyer is employing a tactic we've seen quite a bit during Trump 2.0. (The "I'm new here" argument) Lawyer says he's new to the case and hasn't read everything about the case. "We have lots of binders"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

"Me no Alamo."

Judge asks Dept of Interior official if Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum is involved in the East Potomac Park project Dept of Interior official: "What do you mean by 'involved?" Judge is literally getting a dictionary to read out the defintion of the word "involved"!!

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

DOI official to Judge: "Make me!"

Judge: "When did you become aware of a plan to close the golf course in November 15th? Dept of Interior official: "A plan?" Judge: Do I need to get the dictionary again.. to read out the definition of "plan"?

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

DOI official: "English is my second or third language."

Whoa Assistant Atty General Stanley Woodward tries to intervene and halt the questioning of Dept of Interior official about East Potomac Park Judge pushes back... and says no Judge to Woodward: "It sounds like you don't want him to answer a very straightforward question"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

When you’re trying to save your client from the judge….

Woodward says Trump's Oct 18 social media post said the park "should be" closed on November 15 Judge interjects: NO, he didn't say "should be". He said it WILL be closed Judge: "We shouldn't put words in the President's mouth"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

It doesn’t matter, because the President’s social media posts are covered by executive privilege (wait for it…)

Asst Attorney General Stanley Woodward argues Trump's social media posts on Oct 18 and Oct 25 about the closure of the golf course on Nov 15 wasn't actually a "plan" to close the course Judge: "You're telling me, that even now, that there was no plan.. . You're the 3rd ranking official at DOJ.. you're saying 'Do not believe the President!"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

Asst Attorney General Stanley Woodward argues Trump's social media posts on Oct 18 and Oct 25 about the closure of the golf course on Nov 15 wasn't actually a "plan" to close the course

Judge: "You're telling me, that even now, that there was no plan.. . You're the 3rd ranking official at DOJ.. you're saying 'Do not believe the President!"

This is going well.

Judge asks Stanley Woodward again about how Woodward interpreted the Trump social media post announcing golf course will close Nov 15. Woodward: That falls under executive privilege Judge: He posted it!!!!!

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

Told ya! Hang on, it gets worse.

After brief huddle, the Asst. Atty General regathers and tells judge: "The course is not currently scheduled to close on Nov. 15" There's "a notice of an intent to close." "We would never violate the court's order"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

So they abandoned that blind alley and went for conciliation.

Judge asks specifically: When was the first act to close the golf course taken? Woodward doesn't know. Probably not until (October) 26th. Woodward said he'll check

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

Woodward finally gets his head out of his ass.

Trump Admin officials are arguing they need to replace a seawall at East Potomac Park Judge: "What's the safety issue?" Asst Atty General won't answer. He questions why judge is engaging in this line of inquiry Court filings indicate erosion issues. But judge wants to know if people are unsafe because of it Trump Admin attorneys won't answer

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

Trump Admin officials are arguing they need to replace a seawall at East Potomac Park

Judge: "What's the safety issue?"

Asst Atty General won't answer. He questions why judge is engaging in this line of inquiry

Court filings indicate erosion issues. But judge wants to know if people are unsafe because of it

Trump Admin attorneys won't answer

And then regrets it.

Justice Dept says there are pockets of money that can be used for such projects (including the seawall) Judge notes how Admin has cut funds to Dept of Interior

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

Judge Reyes asks Justice Dept for an estimate of entire price of golf course renovation Trump Admin attorney: There is no estimate. "Why would you assume that?" Reyes: If we're going to use taxpayer money, I assumed we'd have some idea of what it'd cost

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

"Why would you assume that?” Head has retreated firmly back up ass.

Judge orders another breather This has been a mess. Judge is still getting the run-around Politically: The Admin is clearly poised to spend an undetermined amount of money (hundreds of millions of $$'s) to renovate this public golf course in DC to suit the President's wants

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

ALERT: Judge Reyes says she'll launch inquiry into Trump Admin attorneys "conduct" in the East Potomac Park case

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

They done pissed off a federal judge. And saying “We would never defy a court order” is not pacification.

ALERT (more): Judge Reyes is appointing a special master to probe Trump Administration's statements to court about East Potomac Park golf course Investigation will be launched in days

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2026

Now there are two issues, and one is: who’s going to be held responsible for fucking the court around? Trump doesn’t have the authority to do what he’s doing, and the DOJ can’t even come with a prelude to a statute to give him just the ghost of some legal authority.

Unless Roberts can invent one. But by then I think Congress will have shut this farce down.