Judge seeks probe of government in Trump golf case
The gist
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said she intends to appoint former U.S. attorney Jessie Liu to investigate whether officials misled her in the East Potomac golf course case.
The inquiry targets Interior, Park Service and Justice officials and will be paid for by the government.
How it unfolded
- Oct 20, 2026President Trump said work on the East Potomac golf course would begin immediately; government lawyers told a judge hours later there was no final plan.
- Oct 26, 2026Judge Ana Reyes extended an order blocking tree removal from the course and imposed new notice requirements on other major changes.
- Oct 27, 2026In a 70-page opinion, Reyes cited Trump's own statements about his plans and wrote the government appeared to have timed the tree removal and late notice to impede plaintiffs' ability to seek court intervention.
Key terms
- special master
- An official appointed by a judge to ensure judicial orders are followed or to hear evidence and make recommendations to the judge.
- U.S. attorney
- Chief federal law enforcement officer and prosecutor representing the U.S. government in one of the 94 federal judicial districts.
- contempt of court
- The crime of being disobedient or disrespectful toward a court of law and its officers, defying its authority.
Source: Wikipedia