Judge appoints ex-prosecutor to investigate Trump lawyers over DC golf course case

Federal Judge Ana C. Reyes announced on Saturday that she intends to appoint Jessie Liu, a former US Attorney for the District of Columbia, to investigate whether government lawyers and officials misled the court during litigation over President Trump's proposed renovation of the East Potomac Golf Course. Liu will examine whether attorneys from the Department of Justice, Interior Department, and National Park Service violated ethics rules or provided false information to Reyes during the civil case. The lawsuit was filed in February by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the renovation project. Reyes issued an injunction last month temporarily barring the government from removing additional trees and requiring 10 days' written notice before making "irreparable modifications" to the course. The judge's order comes after the administration removed over 400 trees with less than a day's notice to the court, prompting Reyes to express severe criticism of the government's conduct during an October 30 hearing. She stated: "More than just being upset and furious right now, I am just beyond disappointed with the government," and emphasized her skepticism about claims that the tree removals were unrelated to renovation plans. Reyes said she would give both parties until Friday to respond to her order, with a court hearing scheduled for that date. The administration plans to close the course on November 15 to begin construction of what it describes as a "World Class, championship-level golf course" capable of hosting major events.