Federal Judge Orders Inquiry Into Justice Department Lawyers Over Golf Course Case

A federal judge launched a formal inquiry on Friday into whether justice department lawyers deceived the court regarding President Donald Trump's plans to renovate a historic Washington golf course.

District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the Friday hearing following court filings this week revealing that the 106-year-old East Potomac Golf Course will close in mid-November for a 15-month redevelopment project.

The investigation escalates a legal battle that began in February when preservation groups sued over redevelopment plans for the public park, challenging the limits of presidential authority over federal land.

"Not to my knowledge," said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., when asked by Reyes if there was anything he wanted to correct.

Woodward explained that he had not read every transcript in the case and noted that the government has many binders.

Reyes grilled Woodward for hours over the timing of the renovation plans after government lawyers maintained for months that no final plan existed despite social media announcements by Trump.

The dispute intensified earlier this month when the National Park Service cut down more than 400 trees at the site with less than a day's notice, prompting Reyes to issue an injunction.

The administration notified the court of its intention to appeal that ruling, according to CBS News.

Justice Department lawyers acknowledged on Wednesday that the National Park Service would submit course designs to the National Capital Planning Commission on Friday.

Reyes questioned whether government officials acted in bad faith and withheld information while denying the existence of renovation plans during ongoing litigation.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Reyes said she would appoint an independent special master with full investigatory powers to carry out the inquiry.

Reyes stressed that opening an investigation does not mean the court has found evidence that government lawyers violated professional obligations.

If the government rejects the special master, Reyes said she will conduct the investigation herself.