Judge Ana Reyes to appoint special master for Trump golf course ethics probe

East Potomac Golf Course Ana Reyes Jessie Liu Department of Justice Department of the Interior

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes announced her intention to appoint Jessie Liu, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, as a special master to investigate potential ethical violations by federal officials.

The investigation will examine whether attorneys from the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior, along with National Park Service officials, intentionally misled the court during litigation regarding the renovation of the East Potomac Golf Course. The lawsuit, initiated in February by the DC Preservation League and two local golfers, challenges the Trump administration’s plan to transform the historic public course into a championship-level venue.

Judge Reyes expressed concerns regarding whether government officials were truthful about the extent of renovation plans and specific actions, such as the recent cutting of hundreds of trees. While an injunction currently prevents irreparable modifications to the course, the administration intends to close the facility on November 15 to begin construction. Both parties have been given the opportunity to respond to the proposed appointment of Liu before a scheduled court hearing.

Entities

Ana Reyes · Department of Justice · Department of the Interior · East Potomac Golf Course · Jessie Liu · National Park Service

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Judge Ana Reyes intends to appoint Jessie Liu as a special master. www.independent.co.uk · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com
[● 2 SOURCES] An injunction temporarily bars the government from removing or damaging additional trees without 10 days’ written notice. www.independent.co.uk · wtop.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Jessie Liu previously served as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. www.independent.co.uk · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The administration plans to close the East Potomac Golf Course and park land on November 15. www.independent.co.uk · wtop.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The lawsuit challenges the renovation of the East Potomac Golf Course. www.independent.co.uk · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The DC Preservation League and two golfers initiated the lawsuit in February. www.independent.co.uk · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The investigation seeks to determine if officials were truthful about the cutting of hundreds of trees early last month. www.independent.co.uk · wtop.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The investigation will probe whether officials from the Interior Department, National Park Service, and Department of Justice misled the court. www.independent.co.uk · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com