Judge proposes investigator into government conduct in East Potomac golf dispute
Original report:
Judge Ana Reyes said she intended to appoint former federal prosecutor Jessie Liu to examine whether officials and government lawyers deliberately misled her about renovations at Washington’s East Potomac golf course. The proposed inquiry followed disputed tree removal.
On 7 November 2026, US district judge Ana Reyes said she planned to appoint Jessie Liu as special master to investigate government conduct in litigation over East Potomac golf course. Liu, a former US attorney for Washington DC, would examine whether federal officials and Justice Department lawyers breached ethical obligations or deliberately misled the court about renovation plans and tree removal.
The DC Preservation League and two golfers brought the lawsuit in February. The administration planned to close the course and park on 15 November for redevelopment into a championship venue. An October injunction temporarily prohibited further tree damage and required 10 days’ written notice before irreparable alterations. Reyes invited both sides to respond before deciding on Liu’s appointment.
The dispute concerns changes to a historic public recreation site, including the removal of hundreds of trees. Reyes had previously declined several requests to intervene because she trusted government lawyers. Her subsequent investigation put the accuracy of their assurances under scrutiny; the report did not establish that anyone had committed misconduct.
Source
the Guardian — 7 November 2026
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