Judge to investigate whether DOJ and Trump Interior officials lied in golf course affair

Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes opened a hearing Friday by reading ethics rules requiring lawyers to be honest with the courts, then questioned Assistant Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. about the administration’s conflicting accounts, according to media reports.

• Trump announced on October 18 that the golf course would close on November 15 for approximately 15 months of renovations. Woodward told the court the next day there were “no plans to close the course”. On October 28, the Justice Department acknowledged that Trump had ordered the shutdown.

Catch up quickly: A preservation group and two golfers are suing the administration over what they say is President Trump’s illegal plan to convert the historic East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level golf course.

• After government crews cut down more than 400 trees, Reyes banned any further tree cutting without court approval and required 10 business days’ notice before closing the park or making irreversible changes. The administration appealed.

What they say: A White House spokesperson told Axios that the decision “is the latest example of radical left judges interfering with core government functions and lawful actions, such as upgrading the decrepit and dangerous East Potomac Golf Course in our nation’s capital” in an emailed statement.

• “The Department of Justice will not be deterred from carrying out the President’s agenda,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
• The DOI did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.

What’s next: Reyes said she intends to appoint a special master who could review documents, question witnesses under oath and hold hearings. The government would have five business days to object after a special master is selected, the Washington Post reported.

This is breaking news and will be updated.

Go deeper: Exclusive: Congress pressures Trump on DC golf course plans