Politics · United States · 14 hrs ago
Judge plans probe of lawyers in Trump golf course dispute
Judge Ana Reyes plans to appoint former US attorney Jessie Liu to investigate government lawyers in a case over President Donald Trump’s plans for East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, DC.
The dispute began after preservationists and golfers sued to block changes they say could alter the course and remove an affordable public place to play.
The investigation will examine whether Justice and Interior Department lawyers committed ethical violations in handling the case.
Reyes raised concerns after the government removed more than 400 trees from the park with less than a day’s notice to the court, while saying the removals were necessary and unrelated to Trump’s plans.
The administration says it plans to close the course for renovations by next Sunday, while the plaintiffs have asked the judge to temporarily block the work.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday, and Reyes has given both sides until next week to respond to her order.
A federal judge plans to appoint former US attorney Jessie Liu to investigate whether government lawyers committed ethical violations in the fight over renovations to East Potomac Golf Links.
The case concerns President Donald Trump’s plans to renovate the Washington, DC, golf course.
Judge Ana C. Reyes said the investigation would examine the conduct of Justice Department and Interior Department lawyers.
Preservationists and golfers sued to block the changes, saying they could alter the course’s identity and remove an affordable public place to play.
The administration says it plans to close the course for renovations, while the plaintiffs have asked the judge to temporarily block the plans.
- Who
- Judge Ana C. Reyes plans to appoint former US attorney Jessie Liu to investigate government lawyers.
- What
- Liu would investigate whether Justice and Interior Department lawyers committed ethical violations in the golf course dispute.
- When
- Reyes announced her intention on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- Where
- East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, DC.
- Why
- The judge is examining the government lawyers’ conduct in a dispute over planned renovations and the removal of more than 400 trees.
Trump administration
Preservationists and golfers
Renovation plans
Trump administration
The administration plans to renovate the golf course and says it intends to close it for the work.
Preservationists and golfers
They sued to block the changes, saying they could alter the course’s identity and remove an affordable public place to play.
Tree removal
Trump administration
The government said removing more than 400 trees was necessary and unrelated to Trump’s renovation plans.
Preservationists and golfers
Reyes questioned that account and said she was skeptical that the removals had nothing to do with the renovation.
The government removed more than 400 trees from the park, according to CNN.
Reyes said she intended to appoint Jessie Liu to investigate the conduct of government lawyers.
A hearing is scheduled in the case.
The administration plans to close the golf course for renovations.
- Proposed investigator
- Jessie Liu, former US attorney for the District of Columbia
- Judge
- Ana C. Reyes
- Course
- East Potomac Golf Links, Washington, DC
- Trees removed
- More than 400
- Parties under investigation
- Justice Department and Interior Department lawyers
3 sources
What people are saying
More than just being upset and furious right now, I am just beyond disappointed with the government.
The question goes to whether or not I have been lied to, whether I have been lied to in declarations about the plans, whether I have been lied to about the timing of things.