Summary
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said she plans to appoint a special master to investigate whether Justice and Interior Department officials misled the court about plans to close and renovate East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. The probe could include document reviews, sworn witness questioning and hearings; the administration would have five business days to object after a special master is selected.
Key Facts
- President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 18 that the golf course would close Nov. 15 for about 15 months of renovations.
- Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. told the court the day after the announcement that there was no plan to close the course.
- The Justice Department acknowledged on Oct. 28 that Trump had directed the closure.
- Reyes questioned Woodward at a hearing and read ethics rules requiring attorneys to be truthful with courts.
- A preservation group and two golfers sued over what they describe as an illegal plan to convert the historic public course into a championship-level golf course.
- After government crews cut down more than 400 trees, Reyes barred further tree removal without court approval.
- Reyes also required 10 business days' notice before closing the park or making irreversible changes; the administration has appealed.
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