US judge opens ethics inquiry into Trump lawyers over DC golf course

A federal judge in Washington, DC has opened a formal inquiry into whether US government lawyers misled the court over plans to redevelop the historic East Potomac Golf Links, escalating a legal battle over President Donald Trump's efforts to reshape the capital.

Judge Ana Reyes of the US District Court for the District of Columbia announced on Friday that she would appoint a special master to examine whether government officials withheld information or made misleading assertions about the golf course project. The inquiry will not determine whether misconduct occurred, but rather whether conduct breached professional or ethical obligations.

The dispute centers on contradictory statements from administration officials, including those from the Interior Department, Justice Department, and National Park Service, who previously could not confirm the existence or scope of any redevelopment plans when questioned by the judge. These statements conflicted with President Trump's public announcements on Truth Social, where he indicated the course would close for 15 months starting November 15 for major redevelopment.

During a hearing lasting more than two hours, Judge Reyes questioned Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., repeatedly comparing his testimony with the president's online announcements. She also asked whether a National Park Service official had been instructed to omit details from a court declaration.

The conflict intensified earlier this month when over 400 trees were removed from the golf course, despite an earlier court order requiring advance notice of construction work. Judge Reyes subsequently extended her injunction against any further "irreversible" changes to the site.

On Wednesday, the Justice Department informed the court that the National Park Service would submit a design by golf course architect Tom Fazio to the National Capital Planning Commission. This submission came after Trump had already announced on social media that he had commissioned Fazio to build a "World Class Championship Golf Course" on the site, which currently includes biking and walking paths.

The DC Preservation League, which filed the lawsuit in February, argues the redevelopment could violate environmental protections and damage a historically significant public space.

The case is one of two legal challenges unfolding over Trump's plans for Washington, DC. A separate challenge to the White House's proposed construction of a 250-foot memorial arch near Arlington National Cemetery is also pending before another federal judge.

Legal experts say the cases raise broader questions about presidential authority over federal land and public monuments. David Super, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, told The Associated Press that the lawsuits reflect a shift in how the administration approaches legal constraints on executive power.

"There was always the assumption that you would try to do things that were legal," Super said. "What we're seeing here now is that if you think the federal courts can't stop you, you can break the law."

What happens next

The appointed special master will conduct the ethics inquiry and report findings to Judge Reyes. Meanwhile, the injunction remains in place, preventing further irreversible changes to the East Potomac Golf Links site. The separate challenge regarding the memorial arch near Arlington Cemetery is also expected to proceed in coming weeks.

Sources: Al Jazeera, The Associated Press