Judge warns of penalties if golf-course records are destroyed

On November 13, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes pressed Justice Department lawyers during a hearing about the Trump administration’s plan to close East Potomac Golf Course and the nearby park on November 15. The hearing followed Reyes’s earlier order barring tree removal at the course. President Donald Trump has promoted a renovation that would create a championship course and eliminate public paths along Hains Point. Reyes appeared skeptical of the proposed closure during hours of questioning, though no ruling on it was described in the reports.

Reyes also warned the government that destroying records connected to the dispute would bring swift consequences. She said she would begin considering sanctions or contempt if she found credible evidence of destruction. Her warning came after an order requiring the Justice Department, Interior Department and National Park Service to retain records dating from August 1, 2025, including communications on an Interior official’s personal phone.

The records order covers government filings that Reyes is examining as she investigates whether officials or lawyers misled the court. An October declaration by National Mall and Memorial Parks superintendent Kevin Griess said tree work was separate from any golf-course redesign. Later, Interior sought planning approval for a championship-course concept. Reyes said the timing of the tree removal conflicted with earlier assurances that officials were not pursuing a redesign. The Justice Department disputes her finding of bad faith and opposes appointing former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu, or another special master, to investigate.

By 6 p.m. on November 16, the government must provide the names and titles of everyone notified of the records order. Those people could incur court penalties, including contempt, if they destroy records in defiance of it.

Judge scrutinizes Trump’s golf-course closure and records

On November 13, Judge Ana Reyes put the Trump administration’s plans for East Potomac Golf Course and Park under sharp scrutiny, questioning Justice Department lawyers as the proposed November 15 closure approached. The dispute concerns a public golf course and nearby park where President Donald Trump has promoted a championship redesign that would remove public paths along Hains Point. Reyes had already barred tree removal and appeared skeptical of the planned closure at the hearing.

The judge also made clear that the government must preserve records tied to the case. Her order covers records dating from August 1, 2025, held by the Justice Department, Interior Department and National Park Service, including communications on an Interior official’s personal phone. Reyes warned that credible evidence of destruction would lead her to consider sanctions or contempt.

The records matter because Reyes is investigating whether government officials or lawyers misled the court. A government declaration said tree work was unrelated to a possible golf-course redesign; later, Interior sought planning approval for a championship-course concept. Reyes said the sequence clashed with prior assurances that officials were not pursuing a redesign. The Justice Department rejects her finding of bad faith and opposes an outside investigator, resisting scrutiny even as the court requires preservation of the evidence.

The administration must identify by 6 p.m. on November 16 everyone who received the records order. Reyes says those notified could face penalties if records are destroyed.

Judge’s inquiry puts Trump golf-course plans under court pressure

On November 13, Judge Ana Reyes used a hearing over East Potomac Golf Course and Park to challenge the Trump administration’s plans as a November 15 closure neared. President Donald Trump has proposed renovating the course into a championship facility, a plan that would remove public paths along Hains Point. Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, had already barred tree removal and pressed Justice Department lawyers for hours about the closure.

The judge also warned that the government could face sanctions or contempt if case-related records were destroyed. Her preservation order reaches the Justice Department, Interior Department and National Park Service and covers material dating from August 1, 2025, including communications on an Interior official’s personal phone. The government must give Reyes the names and titles of everyone notified by 6 p.m. on November 16.

Reyes is examining whether officials or lawyers misled her. A National Mall and Memorial Parks superintendent had declared that tree work was separate from a potential redesign; later, Interior sought approval for a championship-course concept. Reyes said the timing conflicted with the government’s previous assurances. The Justice Department disputes her bad-faith finding and argues against appointing former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu or another special master, saying there is no reasonable basis for an ethics inquiry.

The judge’s investigation and threatened penalties now loom over the administration’s proposed closure and renovation. The Justice Department must preserve the records while the court considers the dispute.