Federal Judge Orders Ethics Probe Into Trump Lawyers Over Golf Course Dispute

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., announced plans to launch an ethics investigation into whether lawyers from the Trump administration misled her court concerning the East Potomac Park golf course. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a minute order on Saturday stating her intention to appoint Jessie K. Liu, a former U.S. attorney nominated by President Donald Trump, as special master to oversee the inquiry.

Details of the Ethics Investigation

Judge Reyes’ order specifies that the investigation will examine “whether Department of Justice or Department of the Interior counsel have committed ethical violations in this matter.” The probe will proceed “at the Government’s cost.” The parties involved have until 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, to submit any written objections. Reyes clarified that any government response “will be without prejudice to its argument, if any, that the Court should not conduct an ethics inquiry.”

Judge Reyes’ Frustration with Administration Lawyers

Reyes has repeatedly pressed lawyers representing the Trump administration over the past weeks. According to reports, she opened a recent hearing by reading the D.C. Bar’s rules on truthfulness in court aloud, signaling her concern about potential dishonesty. The dispute centers around statements made by Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, the Justice Department’s third-ranking official. Woodward informed Reyes there was no plan to close the East Potomac Park golf course just nine days before the department officially stated in writing that closure was planned. Reyes has summoned Woodward to appear in her courtroom in person on Friday.

Jessie K. Liu’s Appointment and Background

Jessie K. Liu, whom Judge Reyes intends to appoint as special master, has a complex history with President Trump. Trump nominated her to be associate attorney general—the same position now held by Stanley Woodward—in 2019, but she withdrew her nomination. Later that year, Trump nominated her to serve as Treasury Department undersecretary for terrorism and financial crimes, but abruptly withdrew that nomination in February 2020 before her Senate Banking Committee testimony. Reports at the time indicated a memo from Republican activist Barbara Ledeen, a friend of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, criticized Liu as not sufficiently loyal to Trump.

During her tenure as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia from 2017 to 2020, Liu oversaw much of the prosecution of Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally. Her Justice Department résumé is extensive, including roles as deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division, counsel on national security issues to the deputy attorney general, deputy chief of staff for the National Security Division, and deputy general counsel at the Treasury Department. She currently works as a partner at Liu Shur Kravis LLP.

Next Steps and Court Deadlines

The court’s timeline requires any objections to the appointment of Liu as special master to be filed by 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13. Judge Reyes’ order leaves open the possibility that the government may argue against the ethics inquiry but stresses such arguments will not affect the investigation’s progress. Woodward’s scheduled appearance in court on Friday marks a critical moment in the unfolding dispute over truthfulness and ethical conduct by Trump administration lawyers in the East Potomac Park golf course case.

This probe represents another significant judicial action involving the Trump administration’s legal team, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of their conduct in federal courts.