Summary
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes opened an inquiry into whether Justice and Interior Department officials or lawyers misled the court or violated ethics rules in a case over plans to renovate East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. Reyes will conduct the inquiry with help from a special master she has not yet appointed, and stressed that she has made no finding of misconduct.
Key Facts
- The case was brought by a local preservation league and two golfers challenging the administration's plans for the public golf course.
- Reyes will examine whether a court notice about tree removals was filed in bad faith.
- The inquiry will consider whether government lawyers directed National Park Service officials to omit or include information in declarations to the court.
- Reyes will also examine Justice Department lawyers' statements about plans to renovate or close the course.
- Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward told the court that the administration planned to close East Potomac Park by Nov. 15.
- Trump announced on Oct. 18 that the Interior Department and golf course architect Tom Fazio had developed a plan for a new course.
- Reyes gave the Justice Department five days to object to her plan to appoint a special master.
- Earlier in the week, Reyes barred the administration from cutting down trees at the course while the case continues.
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
