Judge orders an inquiry into potential DOJ misconduct in Trump's golf course case
A federal judge has initiated an inquiry into potential misconduct by Trump administration officials regarding the handling of a lawsuit over the East Potomac Park golf course. The judge is investigating whether government lawyers misled the court about the timeline for closing the park for renovations.
Why it matters
This case highlights potential legal and ethical conflicts regarding government transparency and the conduct of Justice Department attorneys in high-profile political cases.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge is launching a formal inquiry into potential misconduct by Trump administration officials in the lawsuit over East Potomac Park, including whether they repeatedly misrepresented the president's plans for the municipal D.C. golf course.
District Judge Ana Reyes ordered Friday's hearing — the third in as many weeks — to seek clarity from government lawyers days after they acknowledged in writing Wednesday that there is a plan to transform the municipal golf course into a championship-level venue, closing it and much of the surrounding park in mid-November.
For months, Justice Department attorneys representing the Interior Department and National Park Service had maintained in court filings and hearings that such a plan was not yet final, despite President Trump's social media statements proclaiming otherwise.
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Federal Judge Orders Inquiry Into Justice Department Lawyers Over Golf Course Case
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