United States District Judge Ana Reyes announced on Saturday that she will appoint Jessie Liu, a former top federal prosecutor, as a "special master" to investigate whether lawyers from the departments of Justice and Interior committed ethical violations. The probe concerns the defense of President Donald Trump's plans to close and renovate the historic East Potomac Golf Links course in Washington.
Judge Reyes named Liu one week after an October 30 hearing where the judge ordered the ethics probe. During that hearing, Reyes expressed concerns that government attorneys misrepresented the Trump administration's intent to proceed with the renovation of the East Potomac course, even though Reyes had issued a temporary order blocking the project.
At the time of the October 30 hearing, Trump stated that renovation work would begin immediately. This statement contradicted assertions made by government officials, which Reyes said were asking her to disregard the president's comments. Reyes noted at an earlier hearing that the Department of Justice has "Rarely, if ever" urged a federal court not to believe the sitting president. She added that while the case began as a matter regarding golf, it "has become much more."
Jessie Liu served as the US attorney for DC during Trump's first term, a period during which she oversaw the criminal case against Roger Stone. After several years in private practice, Liu and two other former prosecutors started their own law firm in April.
The lawsuit, brought by two Washington residents and a non-profit group, alleges that the reconstruction of East Potomac Park and the golf course violates a congressional preservation act and environmental laws. The project is part of a broader effort by Trump to leave an architectural stamp on Washington by transforming the links into a "world class" golf course.
