Judge orders probe into DOJ lawyers over East Potomac golf‑course plan

Federal Judge Ana Reyes has ordered a formal inquiry into whether Justice Department officials misled the court about the Trump administration’s plan to close and redevelop the East Potomac municipal golf course. The order followed the government’s Wednesday admission that a plan exists to turn the course into a championship‑level venue and to shut most of the park in mid‑November. For months DOJ attorneys had told the court no final plan was in place, despite President Trump’s social‑media posts. Reyes summoned both sides for a third hearing in three weeks and quoted the D.C. Bar Rule 3.3 on false statements. She questioned Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., the DOJ’s third‑ranking official, about the timing of the renovation proposal. Woodward said he had not read every transcript and that the plan had been in draft for weeks, a detail never mentioned in earlier hearings. Reyes asked whether officials had knowingly said there was no plan while a submission to the National Capital Planning Commission was being prepared. Reyes said the inquiry could be run by a special master with full investigative powers, or by herself if the government objects. She also extended her ban on tree removal and required ten‑day notice before any further changes. The judge warned that her move does not presume misconduct but signals she will no longer accept the administration’s word. ## Context The case began in February when historic‑preservation groups sued over tree‑cutting at the park. The National Links Trust, which runs the course, will stop operations by Nov. 15 under a new lease, while the larger park will close for seawall repairs.