Judge Orders Formal Inquiry into DOJ Conduct Over East Potomac Golf Course Plans
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U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has opened an investigation into possible misrepresentations by Justice Department officials regarding the Trump administration's plan to close and redevelop the East Potomac municipal golf course.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered a formal inquiry on Friday into whether Justice Department attorneys misled the court about the administration's plan to close and renovate the East Potomac municipal golf course in Washington, D.C. The inquiry follows a recent filing in which government lawyers acknowledged a plan to transform the course into a championship-level venue and close much of the surrounding park in mid-November, contradicting earlier statements that no final plan existed.
Reyes cited the D.C. Bar Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3, which bars lawyers from knowingly making false statements to the court, and asked Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. if any corrections were needed. Woodward responded, "> Not to my knowledge," and noted the volume of case documents.
During a four-hour hearing, Reyes questioned Woodward about the timing of the renovation plans, noting that officials had previously told the court they were unaware of any closure while the administration’s social-media posts announced otherwise. She highlighted that the Justice Department had only just disclosed a pending submission to the National Capital Planning Commission for the redesign, despite earlier claims that no such plan existed.
Reyes announced that the inquiry could be led by a special master with full investigatory powers, or she may conduct it herself if the government rejects the appointment. She emphasized that the inquiry does not imply a finding of misconduct, but reflects the court’s need to verify the administration’s statements.
The dispute centers on the administration’s justification for closing the park, citing a deteriorating seawall that poses safety hazards. National Park Service acting director Jessica Bowron described the seawall as compromised, leading to frequent flooding of adjacent sidewalks. Woodward estimated seawall repairs could cost $150 million to $400 million but did not disclose the total cost of the golf-course redevelopment.
Congressional Representative Jared Huffman, a Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, has urged appropriators to block federal funding for the seawall repairs if they are tied to the golf-course project, arguing that taxpayer money should not be used for a private-interest renovation.
Reyes also extended a court-ordered halt on tree removal and required the government to provide ten days’ written notice before any irreversible changes to East Potomac, ordering preservation of all relevant documents for the inquiry.