A US federal judge has opened a formal inquiry into potential misconduct by Trump administration officials over claims that government lawyers misrepresented plans to close and redevelop East Potomac Park in Washington DC.
District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the investigation after the Justice Department acknowledged that a championship-level golf course was planned for the municipal site, despite repeatedly telling the court that no final proposal existed.
The admission came in a filing on Wednesday, days after Ms Reyes halted tree clearance and major renovation work at the park. The government has appealed that order.
At a hearing on Friday, the judge cited professional conduct rules that prohibit lawyers from knowingly making false statements to a court, or failing to correct them. She asked Stanley Woodward Jr, the associate attorney general leading the government’s defence, whether he wished to correct anything.
“Not to my knowledge,” Mr Woodward replied, adding that he had not read every transcript in the case. When he referred to the government’s “lots of binders”, Ms Reyes responded: “I bet you do.”
Over four hours of questioning, Ms Reyes pressed Mr Woodward on when officials had become aware of the proposed closure and renovation. She questioned why lawyers had not disclosed that plans had been in development for weeks, even though one earlier hearing had lasted seven hours.
Government lawyers said the National Park Service had submitted plans to the National Capital Planning Commission for review. The proposal includes a course designed by Tom Fazio and describes a “World Class, championship-level golf course” capable of hosting major events.
The administration also said East Potomac Park south of Buckeye Drive, including the golf course, would be closed in line with President Trump’s directive. The National Links Trust, the non-profit organisation operating the course, confirmed that it would cease operations at East Potomac by 15 November while continuing to run Washington’s two other municipal courses under a 50-year lease.
Ms Reyes questioned the government’s position that posts made by Mr Trump on Truth Social did not amount to a final plan. Mr Woodward compared the posts with executive orders, saying they directed agencies to take action but did not guarantee that it would happen.
When he suggested the president’s statements were protected by executive privilege, Ms Reyes replied: “He posted it!”
The judge said the inquiry could be led by a special master with “full investigatory powers”. If the government refused that arrangement, she said, she would conduct the inquiry herself.
She stressed that opening an investigation did not mean the court had found, or would find, that government lawyers had breached their professional obligations. But she ordered officials to preserve relevant documents so that evidence would not be lost.
“Trial lawyers sometimes tell juries, ‘Trust but verify,’” Ms Reyes said. “For months, the court trusted, but did not verify. No longer.”
East Potomac Park closure and seawall claims
The administration has said the wider closure is also needed because the park’s century-old seawall is deteriorating and presents a safety risk. Jessica Bowron, the acting National Park Service director, said sections of the adjoining pavement were underwater twice a day and that erosion had damaged nearby trees and grassy areas.
Ms Reyes accepted that the seawall required attention but questioned why the issue had not previously been raised in the litigation. Mr Woodward said repairs could cost between 150 million and 400 million dollars, but did not provide an estimate for the golf course redevelopment.
Mr Trump has defended the project, warning that holes in the driving-range net had allowed golf balls to strike players, including a White House staff member. He said Ms Reyes would be “fully responsible” if anyone were hurt or killed at what he described as a dangerous and dilapidated course.
The dispute began after local historic preservation advocates and golfers sued in February. It intensified this month when the administration removed hundreds of trees with less than a day’s notice, work Ms Reyes described as a possible pretext for proceeding without the necessary approvals.
East Potomac was designated as a public park by Congress in 1897, with the land intended to be “forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people”. Local residents fear the proposed redevelopment would undermine that purpose.
