Judge probes government lawyers over golf course plans
A federal judge is investigating whether Justice Department officials misled the court about the status of renovations to East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C.
By Matthew Qureshi ·
Federal Judge Ana Reyes has ordered a formal inquiry into whether government lawyers misrepresent the administration's plans for East Potomac Park.
The judge launched the investigation after Justice Department attorneys confirmed on Wednesday night that the National Park Service intends to close the municipal golf course and surrounding areas in mid-November.
This confirmation contradicted previous court filings where lawyers stated no final plan existed, despite President Trump's public announcements.
Reyes opened the four-hour hearing by citing D.C. Bar Rule 3.3, which prohibits lawyers from knowingly making false statements to the court.
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. told the judge he was not aware of any errors in the government's prior representations.
Reyes questioned why officials did not mention that renovation plans were being drafted for weeks while the litigation was ongoing.
The judge noted that the government submitted those plans to the National Capital Planning Commission on Friday, the same day as the hearing.
Woodward stated that the administration's social media posts function like executive orders, directing agencies without guaranteeing action.
He clarified that the course is not currently scheduled to close on November 15, but the government filed a notice of intent to do so.
The administration cites a crumbling seawall as a separate safety hazard requiring immediate closure and repair.
Acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron declared that large sections of the adjacent sidewalk are underwater twice daily due to the deteriorating structure.
Woodward estimated the seawall repairs would cost between $150 million and $400 million, though he did not provide a total cost for the golf course renovations themselves. Reyes announced she would appoint a special master with full investigatory powers to lead the inquiry, unless the government rejects the choice, in which case she would conduct it herself. She emphasized that opening the inquiry does not mean she has found evidence of violations yet. Reyes also ordered the government to preserve all relevant documents to prevent the loss of evidence during the investigation. The judge extended her ban on tree removal and required 10 days' written notice before any further closures or modifications to the park. Rep. Jared Huffman sent a letter to appropriations leaders asking them to block federal funds for the seawall project to prevent the golf course redesign. He proposed language for year-end spending legislation to stop money from being used to expand the course or reshape the land. The administration has previously argued for structural repairs at the Kennedy Center before its closure for renaming. The legal dispute began in February when local preservation groups and golfers filed suit against the park's management. The government quickly appealed Reyes' order halting tree-clearing and major renovations at the site.
