Judge proceeds with DOJ ethics inquiry in East Potomac golf course closure fight
Summary
- U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes is weighing preservation groups' bid to block the planned Nov. 15 closure of East Potomac Golf Links.
- The administration cites seawall safety and the loss of operator National Links Trust; plaintiffs say it is a pretext for Trump's planned championship course.
- Reyes said Friday an ethics inquiry into Justice Department lawyers' conduct in the case will proceed, through a special master or under her supervision.
- The D.C. Preservation League and two golfers sued in February 2026 to halt changes to the 124-year-old public course.
- Reyes found bad faith in the government's October tree removals, barred further cutting, and ordered records preserved dating to August 2025.
Reactions
- The Justice Department argued no ethics inquiry was warranted and that Reyes could not appoint a special master without the government's consent.
- Reyes said the court has an obligation to ensure representations made to a federal court are made in good faith.
- During a hearing, Reyes halted proceedings and ordered the Justice Department to produce 'a live human being who understands the law.'
- The Justice Department called Reyes's order to name Interior employees an unconstitutional infringement on the executive branch's right to conduct its own affairs.
- Justice Department lawyer Adam Gustafson argued voters elected Trump for 'myriad reasons' and knew of his experience as a builder and developer.
- Georgetown law professor David Super said a judge's formal investigation can be a precursor to holding someone in contempt of court.
Timeline newest first
Judge Ana C. Reyes said Friday the inquiry into Justice Department lawyers' conduct in the East Potomac Golf Links case would proceed, through a special master or under her own supervision.
Reyes halted a Nov. 13 hearing and ordered the Justice Department to produce 'a live human being who understands the law' after Adam Gustafson said he would need to brush up on direct final rules.
Reyes indicated she could order East Potomac Park to remain open despite Trump's wishes for its renovation.
Reyes demanded a government lawyer in the courtroom within an hour, warning she would think the government past the presumption of regularity; the Interior Department had posted its closure decision only the Thursday evening before.
The government released the names of three Interior Department employees who worked on the championship-course planning proposal, shortly before Reyes's Thursday 5 p.m. deadline.
Reyes signed a Nov. 10 preservation order covering case records back to Aug. 1, 2025, including Interior official Gregory Wischer's personal cellphone and Trump's Truth Social posts.
Reyes ordered the Oct. 30 hearing after Trump's Truth Social posts from Oct. 18 revealed closure plans; the Justice Department filed notice Oct. 28 that the plans were real.
Justice Department official Stanley Woodward said at a hearing that appointing a special master was unnecessary and inappropriate.
Federal officials cut hundreds of trees at East Potomac Golf Course in early October 2026.
Sources newest first
- Judge in golf course case says inquiry into DOJ lawyers will proceed
The Washington Post's developing-stories page reports that U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes said an inquiry into Justice Department lawyers' conduct in the East Potomac Golf Links case would proceed despite the department's objections, with a ruling expected Saturday on preservation groups' request to stop the course's closure. It also covers Microsoft's restoration of a global outage that hit hospitals and schools, two more measles deaths bringing the 2026 toll to at least 10, California's record marine heat wave, Elon Musk's call for Jensen Huang's reinstatement at Nvidia, and phone charging advice.
Federal Judge In DC Golf Course Case Orders DOJ To Produce "A Live Human Being Who Understands Law" - Joe.My.God.A Joe.My.God. blog post relays Raw Story's report that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes halted a hearing over the planned closure of East Potomac Park by ordering the Justice Department to produce "a live human being who understands the law," after official Adam Gustafson said he would need to brush up on rules that bypass public comment.
Judge clashes again with DOJ lawyers as she weighs golf course’s futureU.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes sharply questioned the Trump administration's safety rationale for closing East Potomac Golf Links, pressing Justice Department lawyers on whether the shutdown could be separated from President Trump's plan for a championship-style course, but issued no ruling after more than five hours of argument. A ruling is likely Saturday.
The government says it will close a beloved D.C. park Sunday. Will a judge step in?NPR reports that the government plans to close most of East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., on November 15, 2026, and that Judge Ana Reyes, who questioned the plan, could order the park to stay open despite President Trump's wishes for its renovation. The park's loop is beloved by runners and cyclists.
Hearing halted: Judge 'orders' Trump DOJ lawyer to act like a 'live human' or elseRawStory reports that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes halted a hearing over President Trump's planned East Potomac Park golf course closure, ordering the Justice Department to produce "a live human being who understands the law" by 2:30 or face her doubting the government's good faith. The Interior Department posted its closure decision only the evening before; the D.C. Preservation League's suit calls the shutdown a step toward Trump's planned Tom Fazio redesign.
Judge warns DOJ punishment will come in 'a zepto-second' if Trump golf records vanishA Raw Story article reports that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes warned the Justice Department it would face consequences "in less than a zepto-second" — a trillionth of a billionth of a second — if records vanish in her investigation of possible misconduct over the planned closure of East Potomac Golf Course. She has ordered records preserved, moved to appoint Jessie Liu as special master, and threatened sanctions or contempt, while the Justice Department disputes her bad-faith finding and refuses to consent to an ethics inquiry.
Will a judge keep the East Potomac golf course open? We’re about to find out.The Washington Post's briefing reports that a federal judge hears arguments Friday, Nov. 13, on whether the Trump administration can close the 124-year-old East Potomac Golf Links, which President Trump hopes to redevelop, after preservation groups asked Judge Ana C. Reyes to block the closure she has appeared skeptical of. The briefing also covers U2's new song honoring Rosalía, a D.C. rampage that killed one and injured four, Bobby Pulido's Latin Grammy win days after flipping a Texas House seat, Democrats' probe of donors to Trump's ballroom, Donald Trump Jr.'s exit from Kalshi, and a report on $12 billion in Venezuelan oil revenue.
Judge forces Trump DOJ to unmask officials behind his golf course planAlternet reports that the Trump administration, after weeks of denying imminent plans for East Potomac Park, was forced by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes to name the officials behind a taxpayer-funded makeover of the East Potomac Golf Links, releasing the list just before her Thursday 5 p.m. deadline. Reyes, who had already blocked tree removal and appointed a former federal prosecutor to probe whether officials lied or broke ethics rules, rejected DOJ lawyers' claims that disclosure posed privacy risks and infringed on the Executive Branch's constitutional rights.
Judge keeps East Potomac tree-cutting ban in place ahead of planned closureThe 7, The Washington Post's Nov. 10 morning briefing, rounds up the day's news: Judge Ana C. Reyes's finding that Interior Department tree cutting at East Potomac showed “bad faith,” a security agent's warning to reporters at Pete Hegseth's briefing, West Point's appeal of its faculty speech ruling, the Devils Hole pupfish's rebound, falling gas prices, and Scott Colom's disputed lead over Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi.
Microsoft Word - Preservation Order_Final
Judge Ana C. Reyes ordered the Government to preserve documents in DC Preservation League v. Department of Interior, covering East Potomac Golf Course redesign plans, the park's closure and seawall renovation, the terminated National Links Trust lease, President Trump's Truth Social posts, and communications involving Gregory Wischer, Tom Fazio, and the National Garden of American Heroes Foundation.
Judge taps ex-prosecutor to probe lawyer conduct in Trump golf course fightA Washington Post live-updates page reports that Judge Ana C. Reyes plans to appoint former D.C. U.S. attorney Jessie K. Liu as special master to investigate whether Justice and Interior Department lawyers misled the court in the fight over the East Potomac Golf Links plans, and she gave parties until Friday morning to respond. The page also tracks midterm fallout: Senate Democratic leadership jockeying, Larry Hogan's criticism of Trump, Houston's new limits on ICE contacts, and uncalled Senate races in Mississippi, Alaska, and North Carolina.
Judge to appoint special master to determine whether Trump lawyers purposely misled her over golf coursetheguardian.com· 7d
Judge Ana Reyes plans to appoint Jessie Liu, a former DC US attorney from Trump's first term, as special master to investigate whether federal officials and DOJ attorneys misled her over the East Potomac golf course renovation, which a lawsuit by the DC Preservation League and two golfers challenges. The government plans to close the course on 15 November, and Reyes has barred further tree removal while the case is active.
Judge wants former U.S. attorney to investigate whether the government misled her in Trump golf caseAn AP article on pbs.org reports that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes plans to appoint Jessie Liu, a former U.S. attorney for DC, as special master to investigate whether Trump administration officials and Justice Department lawyers misled her in a lawsuit over renovating the East Potomac Golf Course. Reyes ordered the inquiry after Trump's Truth Social posts revealed closure and construction plans, set for Nov 15, 2026, that officials could not confirm in hearings, while an injunction bars further tree removal.
Former Trump-appointed prosecutor may probe government attorney ethics in golf course casePolitico reports that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes plans to appoint Jessie Liu, a former Trump-era U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., to investigate whether Justice or Interior lawyers acted in bad faith in litigation over converting East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level course. Justice official Stanley Woodward called a special master unnecessary and inappropriate.
Judge wants former US attorney to investigate whether the government misled her in Trump admin golf casechicagotribune.com· 7d
An AP article reports that Judge Jessie Liu says she intends to appoint a former top federal prosecutor from President Donald Trump's first term to investigate whether lawyers and administration officials purposefully misled her in a lawsuit over the renovation of a historic public golf course along the Potomac River, a project the article calls one of Trump's prized construction projects. Related headlines note Trump plans to close the course for 15 months of renovations.
Judge wants former US attorney to investigate whether the government misled her in Trump golf case
US District Judge Ana Reyes intends to appoint Jessie Liu, a former US attorney for DC, as special master to investigate whether Trump administration lawyers and Interior and Park Service officials misled her in a lawsuit over the East Potomac Golf Course renovation. Trump's administration plans to close the park November 15 to build a championship-level course.
Judge puts the hammer down on Trump with new probe into whether lawyers misled the courtRawStory reports that U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes plans an ethics investigation into whether Justice or Interior lawyers misled her court over the East Potomac Park golf course, with former Trump-nominated prosecutor Jessie K. Liu as special master. She ordered Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward into her courtroom on Nov. 13 after, per WUSA9, he denied any closure plan days before his department confirmed one in writing.
Opponents ask judge to stop Trump from closing historic D.C. golf courseRick Maese's Washington Post article reports that preservation groups asked a federal judge Thursday to block the Trump administration from closing East Potomac Golf Links and surrounding parkland as planned on Nov. 15. According to a Post AI-generated summary, commenters strongly oppose converting the public course into a private one and question claims about the park, and Maese calls the filing the latest salvo in a heated legal battle.
Background newest first
U.S. investigates suspected ‘unauthorized drone activity’ at U.K. air baseThe Washington Post's live updates page tracks several developing stories: U.S. and U.K. forces investigating suspected unauthorized drone activity over RAF Lakenheath, a credible bomb found at an ethanol facility in Peoria, Illinois, a nationwide ground stop that halted U.S. flights, Canada's new trade deals with ASEAN and the Philippines, and a judge's inquiry into Trump administration lawyers over the East Potomac Golf Links case. It also features a Life Hax episode in which Carolyn Hax and Shane O'Neill advise a dog owner caught between her parents and her in-laws.
What are your rights when your flight is canceled?A Washington Post live-updates page explains air passenger rights after a nationwide ground stop halted U.S. flight traffic for over four hours: no federal rule requires compensation for cancellations or delays, airlines voluntarily compensate only for disruptions within their control, and a refund is required if a passenger chooses not to fly. The page also follows Mark Carney's trade talks with Trump, Judge Ana C. Reyes's ethics inquiry into administration lawyers, a Microsoft outage that disrupted services worldwide, and Life Hax advice on a dog-unfriendly family visit.
The next ‘Bachelor’ star is Commanders quarterback Sam HartmanA Washington Post roundup leads with news that Commanders practice-squad quarterback Sam Hartman, who set records at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame, will star in season 30 of ABC's "The Bachelor," premiering March 21, and told "Good Morning America" he is nervous about dating 20 to 30 women at once. The page's other articles report Mauricio Pochettino's exit as U.S. men's soccer coach for Manchester United, Zelensky's complaints about Starlink speed limits, Trump's disputed claims about Iran war deaths, the deadly Logan Circle gym shooting, a court fight over East Potomac Golf Links, and Emily Heil's sweet potato recipes.
Mauricio Pochettino leaves U.S. men’s soccer to coach Manchester UnitedA Washington Post developing-stories page reports that Mauricio Pochettino, 54, is leaving the U.S. men's national team to coach Manchester United three months into a new four-year cycle, calling it a tough decision. The page also covers Pentagon-reported service member deaths in the war with Iran, Trump's interview defenses of the war, the deadly Logan Circle shooting, a court fight over closing East Potomac Golf Links, U2's Rosalía collaboration, a State Department report on more than $12 billion in Venezuelan oil revenue, and allies saying JD Vance still likely runs in 2028.
Trump falsely claims ‘nobody’s been killed’ in Iran war ‘in the last five months’The Washington Post's The 7 leads with Trump's interviews defending the war with Iran, in which he claimed nobody had been killed in the last five months, though the Pentagon reports 23 American service members died in the war, 11 from enemy fire. The briefing also covers Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. talks in Abu Dhabi and the Starlink speed limits Zelensky says persist, Mauricio Pochettino's move from the U.S. men's team to Manchester United, a deadly Logan Circle shooting, the court fight over East Potomac Golf Links, and U2's new song with Rosalía.
Additional person injured in Logan Circle shooting, police sayA Washington Post live blog reports that D.C. police identified a woman with a nonfatal injury as an additional victim of Thursday's deadly Logan Circle shooting, in which police say the shooter, emergency room physician Matt Lambert, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after 46-year-old building manager James Stuart was killed. The blog also covers Mauricio Pochettino's exit from the U.S. men's national team for Manchester United, senators' calls to investigate Starlink speed limits in Ukraine, a court fight over closing East Potomac Golf Links, and U2's new song with Rosalía.
DAY AHEAD - My Daily Editorial Notesubstack.com· 34h
Scott MacFarlane's daily editorial note argues the Arlington National Cemetery disruption by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump's Veterans Day golfing have reenergized Democratic lawmakers, and he expects battles with the Trump administration to escalate as the new Congress nears subpoena power. The newsletter also covers Senator Richard Blumenthal's records-preservation memo to prosecutor Aaron Reitz, a court fight over the East Potomac Park golf course, Jensen Huang's Nvidia resignation, a HUD citizenship-verification rule, data center fights, hospital closures, and a spreading school bus driver shortage.
The shabby public golf course that became key to Trump’s D.C. makeoverRick Maese's Washington Post article looks at East Potomac Golf Links, a weathered 36-hole public course on federal parkland offering cheap golf, now key to Trump's D.C. makeover. Maese calls its views priceless, while reader comments blast the transformation into an elite venue as a vanity project and stress the park's value as accessible recreation.
Record of Determination for the Temporary Closure of East Potomac Park South of Buckeye Drive - National Mall and Memorial Parks (U.S. National Park Service)nps.gov· 2d
The National Park Service is temporarily closing East Potomac Park south of Buckeye Drive, SW, including East Potomac Golf Course, Hains Point, and the seawall, effective at 9:00 pm on November 15, 2026, citing deteriorated facilities, seawall hazards, and the loss of supervision when National Links Trust ceases golf operations under a new lease covering only Rock Creek and Langston courses. The closure, issued under 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(a), remains in effect until modified or rescinded and may be lifted if planned remediation projects make safe access possible.
Whistleblowers: Trump’s Interior Department Is Already Destroying the Paper Trail on His Arch, Golf Course and BallroomDean Blundell reports that whistleblowers the House Natural Resources Committee calls credible told Democratic staff the Interior Department is disposing of records tied to Trump's arch, East Potomac Park golf course, and ballroom before Democrats gain subpoena power in January; the department calls the claims "100% false." Jared Huffman has sent preservation letters and is planning a marquee hearing.
Federal worker named on ‘DEI Watchlist’ files wrongful firing lawsuitThe Washington Post's live page centers on Dia Harris, a Black federal worker fired in President Trump's purge of diversity jobs, who is suing HHS and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. alleging discriminatory dismissal and seeking reinstatement and back pay. The page also covers Democrats' midterm win and Hakeem Jeffries calling Stephen Miller a "stone-cold racist," the transfer of a 120-acre Cape Cod parcel to the Native Land Conservancy, recovery of a Learjet 60's cockpit voice recorder, a judge blocking tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links, reporters' removal warning at Pete Hegseth's briefing, and West Point's plan to appeal a ruling against its faculty speech policy.
Cockpit voice recorder recovered from Florida jet crash that killed 9The Washington Post's developing stories page covers several items: investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder from a Learjet 60 crash in West Palm Beach, Florida, that killed all nine aboard; a Cape Cod parcel was transferred to the Native Land Conservancy as part of the #LandBack effort; Dia Harris sued over his firing from an HHS equity role; a judge refused to pause an order barring tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links; West Point will appeal a ruling against its faculty speech policy; and Devils Hole pupfish numbers have climbed to 137. A Hegseth security agent warned reporters they could be removed from his first briefing in six months.
Hegseth’s security threatens journalists with removal from news conferenceThe Nov. 10 edition of The Washington Post's The 7 briefing leads with the impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, reporting that a security agent warned reporters at his first news briefing in six months they would be physically removed if they did not maintain decorum, the day after Rep. Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment. The briefing also covers a judge's finding that the Interior Department acted in bad faith in cutting trees at East Potomac Golf Links, West Point's appeal of a ruling against its faculty speech policy, the rebounding Devils Hole pupfish, gas prices dipping below $4 a gallon, Scott Colom's criticism of the Cook Political Report, and hacked ICE recruit data.
Gas price falls below $4 for first time since JulyThe 7, The Post's morning briefing, leads with gas falling to a national average of $3.97 a gallon, the first time below $4 since July. It also covers the recovery of the cockpit voice recorder from a Learjet 60 crash in Florida that killed nine, a judge's refusal to pause her order barring tree-cutting at East Potomac Golf Links, a security agent's warning to reporters before Pete Hegseth's first briefing in six months, West Point's fight over faculty speech rules, the rebound of the Devils Hole pupfish to 137, and hacked ICE recruit records.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson accuses Trump administration of corruptionA Washington Post live blog tracks the fallout from the midterm election: Sen. Ron Johnson accuses the Trump administration of corruption, echoing former adviser Calley Means, who quit his post and told the Joe Rogan Experience that top aides cater to special interests. It also covers a judge's ethics inquiry over East Potomac Golf Links, Houston's new limits on police contact with ICE, Democrats challenging Chuck Schumer's leadership, uncalled Senate races, and holiday shopping forecasts from Visa and Bank of America.
Sen. Van Hollen says Schumer should not get ‘blank check’ to be majority leaderThe Washington Post live-updates page reports Sen. Chris Van Hollen saying Senate Democrats should question their next leader rather than give Sen. Chuck Schumer a "blank check" as majority leader, while progressive groups urge Democrats to look elsewhere. It also tracks Sen. Ron Johnson's corruption accusations, Democrats' uncalled midterm races, Houston's new ICE limits, Susie Wiles's exit as chief of staff, a judge's planned ethics probe, and holiday spending.
Houston mayor says police will no longer call ICE unless charges are jailableA Washington Post live-updates page leads with Houston Mayor John Whitmire's executive order limiting police calls to ICE to jailable offenses, issued after Democrats won every statewide Texas office and Gov. Greg Abbott was defeated. The page also tracks the midterm aftermath — Judge Ana C. Reyes's plan to appoint Jessie K. Liu as special master in an ethics inquiry, uncalled Senate and House races, and postelection assessments from Larry Hogan, Sen. Ron Johnson, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen — plus Visa and Bank of America research on holiday spending.
Holiday spending might look a little different this yearThe Washington Post's live-updates page tracks the aftermath of the midterm elections, where Democrats hold majorities in both chambers with 19 House and two Senate races still uncalled, along with holiday spending outlooks. Visa expects holiday sales to rise 4.5 percent as shoppers trim budgets, and Judge Ana C. Reyes proposes appointing Jessie K. Liu to investigate government lawyers' conduct over East Potomac Golf Links, while Houston's mayor limits police contacts with ICE.
Here are the midterm races to watch that are still too close to callA live-updates article tracks the midterm races still too close to call, with 19 House races and two Senate races undecided and Democrats holding majorities in both chambers: Scott Colom leads Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith narrowly in Mississippi, and Mary Peltola leads Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska under ranked-choice voting. Sen. Ron Johnson accuses the Trump administration of corruption while pushing to postpone Senate Republican leadership elections, and President Trump says he is replacing chief of staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller.
Susie Wiles’s exit adds to list of women leaving top roles in Trump administrationThe Washington Post's live-updates page reports Susie Wiles's departure as White House chief of staff, with President Trump naming Stephen Miller her successor, the latest of several women leaving top administration roles for male replacements. It also covers Judge Ana C. Reyes's ethics inquiry into the East Potomac Golf Links case and her plan to appoint Jessie Liu as special master, Houston's new ICE policy, Democratic challenges to Chuck Schumer's leadership, and Visa's forecast of 4.5 percent holiday sales growth.
Democrats could use new power to challenge Trump’s D.C. golf projectRick Maese reports for The Washington Post that Democrats' takeover of Congress could threaten President Trump's plans to overhaul East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., with lawmakers preparing to use control of federal spending and committees to scrutinize and potentially block parts of the project. Many commenters oppose turning East Potomac Park into a luxury golf course and say it should be kept for public recreation.
Trump’s D.C. Construction Blitz May Be About to Get Toughernytimes.com· 7d
A New York Times article reports that President Trump is rushing his Washington construction projects — a triumphal arch, a golf course, a Garden of Heroes, the ballroom — before Democrats take control of Congress in January 2027, though a federal judge has already halted the arch the night its approval was rushed through. The writers and Democrats like Jamie Raskin expect new congressional oversight and legal fights ahead.
Trump administration lays out plan to overhaul D.C. golf courseThe Trump administration has submitted its proposed overhaul of East Potomac Golf Links for federal review, calling for a new championship golf course and a $304.5 million seawall around the Hains Point peninsula. The plan does not say what the project would cost, how long construction would take, or what golfers would pay to play there, according to Rick Maese's Washington Post article.
D.C. mayor gives her opinions on Trump’s ‘beautification’ projectsThe Washington Post reports D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser's mixed assessment of President Trump's 'beautification' projects: she praises restored fountains and park space but calls the East Potomac Park golf course concept drawings 'troublesome' for lacking recreation access, saying she wants a world-class course that accommodates other uses. Bicyclists and runners are protesting potential loss of recreation space at the park, and Bowser referred comment on the city's lawsuit seeking to block Trump's triumphal arch to the D.C. attorney general.
Republican Senator Sued by His Former Patientnewrepublic.com· 15d
New Republic's news roundup reports a Kansas class-action lawsuit alleging Senator Roger Marshall's former OB-GYN practice charged patients an illegal 18 percent interest rate days before his tight reelection. It also covers an ICE agent's indictment for running over a man in Houston, Democrats' attacks on Abdul El-Sayed, a judge's inquiry into lies about the East Potomac Park golf course takeover, and Trump Media's $175,000 in ad revenue from the 250th anniversary celebrations.
Why Is Trump Dumping East Wing Rubble in a Public Park?Shawn McCreesh's New York Times article reports that in October 2025 White House dump trucks began piling the rubble of the demolished East Wing — debris from President Trump's ballroom excavation, eventually some 30,000 cubic yards by a Park Service estimate — onto East Potomac Golf Links, an affordable $42-a-round public course on a man-made Potomac island, after which the administration terminated the nonprofit National Links Trust's 50-year lease and took over the course. Trump says he will make it "beautiful, world-class, U.S. Open-caliber," but top architects like Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Mark A. Mungeam call that implausible on the flat, cramped site, and locals like golfer Bryan King mourn the people's course.
