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Judge Trump called a 'lunatic' backs off demand after DOJ showdown
Judge Ana Reyes dropped her demand that Justice Department attorneys sign a filing, a day after refusing the department's request that she recuse herself; the trees did not get a vote.
On air: Hank Ledger, Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman on BBN TonightPublished
Photo: Tim Evanson · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 2.0Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Tonight at 6:36 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Fox News's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by Fox News: “Judge Trump called a ‘lunatic’ abruptly backs off demand after showdown with DOJ No. 3”, with reporting from AL.com, MS NOW, The Hill, Daily Record, ABC News and New Republic.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6:36 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger, Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Fox NewsJudge Trump called a ‘lunatic’ abruptly backs off demand after showdown with DOJ No. 3
- AL.comJD Vance says Trump would endorse him in 2028, but not ‘weird’ if president did this
- MS NOW‘You did your absolute worst’: Judge blasts government after she says it defied her on D.C. golf course case facts used on air
- The HillJudge weighs challenge to Trump’s East Potomac Golf takeover after rejecting ‘baseless’ request for recusal facts used on air
- Daily RecordJudge weighs East Potomac golf course plan amid Trump attacks October 20, 2026 · facts used on air
- ABC NewsJD Vance says he thinks Trump would endorse him if he ran for president - ABC News October 20, 2026 · facts used on air
- New RepublicJD Vance Forced to Acknowledge Trump Doesn’t Really Like Him October 20, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA federal judge the president called a crazed lunatic has dropped her demand that Justice Department attorneys sign a filing, after a nearly seven-hour hearing over the East Potomac golf course.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd the government cut down four hundred thirty trees there, after the judge had ordered notice before removing more than ten.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorJudge Ana Reyes says she keeps getting different stories from the government.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorFour hundred thirty trees. That's a forest with a tee time.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVice President JD Vance says he thinks the president will endorse him if he runs in 2028.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBut he told Mark Halperin he hasn't talked to him about it, and he laughed.
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Photo: Frenchieinportland · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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