No wrongdoing found as judge opens inquiry into whether Trump officials misled court in golf course case
Renovation plans under scrutiny
Woodward also submitted a design rendering for a new course by architect Tom Fazio. The rendering was sent to the National Capital Planning Commission on Friday.
Judge says no finding made
Reyes emphasized that the inquiry does not mean misconduct has been established. She said she is investigating whether misconduct occurred. At Friday’s hearing, Reyes repeatedly questioned Woodward about Trump’s statements and what he knew about the plan to close the course. Earlier in the week, she issued a longer-term order barring the administration from cutting trees at East Potomac while the case continues.
Case challenges course overhaul
The case was brought by a local preservation league and two golfers from the area. They are challenging the Trump administration’s plans to overhaul the public course, which has operated in Washington since the 1920s.
Trump said work on the replacement course would begin Nov. 15, when East Potomac would close. On Monday, he again said the site would close as scheduled for renovation and rebuilding, citing competition, safety, modernization and aesthetics.
Key points
- Judge Reyes is investigating possible misrepresentations and ethics violations, but has made no finding of wrongdoing.
- The inquiry includes a court notice filed before crews cut down hundreds of trees at East Potomac.
- Stanley Woodward told the court the park was set to close by Nov. 15.
- A local preservation league and two golfers are challenging the planned overhaul of the public course.