Judge orders probe of Trump DOJ conduct in DC golf course battle

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Gabe Whisnant

By Gabe Whisnant

News Editor

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A federal judge has ordered a formal investigation into whether Trump administration officials and attorneys misrepresented information to the court during an escalating legal battle over President Donald Trump’s planned redevelopment of a historic Washington, D.C., golf course.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, announced the inquiry Friday during a contentious hearing involving the future of East Potomac Golf Links, saying it would examine whether agency officials, government employees and attorneys made misrepresentations or violated ethical rules.

Reyes has moved on multiple occasions to block the administration's plans to renovate the site.

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The investigation will scrutinize conduct by Justice Department and agency attorneys, including representations made by Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., DOJ’s No. 3 official. Reyes has not yet appointed a special master to oversee the investigation and has given the Justice Department five days to object to the proposed appointment.

The move followed repeated clashes between Reyes and Justice Department attorneys over what the administration knew about plans to renovate and temporarily close the golf course, including information about a redesign submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission.

Newsweek has reached out to the Justice Department and Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs challenging the redevelopment, for comment on Reyes’ inquiry and Friday's hearing.

The Washington Monument is seen as workers remove trees at East Potomac Park Golf Course, Monday, October 26, 2026, in Washington.

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President Donald Trump said this week that Judge Reyes will be held "fully responsible" for anyone who is "hurt or killed" on the East Potomac Golf Course.

Trump said on Truth Social that the course was "dangerous, dilapidated, and absolutely disgusting," and that golf balls soar through holes at a "high speed" hitting golfers, including a White House staffer who was "hit violently in the chest."