Federal judge plans to name ex-prosecutor to probe whether Trump officials misled her
In a Washington golf course lawsuit, Judge Ana Reyes proposes Jessie Liu, a former US attorney, and both sides must respond in writing by Friday.
A federal judge in Washington said on Saturday, Nov. 7, that she intends to appoint Jessie Liu as special master to investigate whether government lawyers and officials purposely misled her. Judge Ana Reyes, nominated by President Joe Biden, is handling a lawsuit filed in February by the DC Preservation League and two golfers over the renovation of the East Potomac golf course along the Potomac River. Liu was the for the District of Columbia during Donald Trump's first term.
She would examine whether and National Park Service officials and attorneys violated ethics or misled the court. Reyes also wants to know whether officials were truthful about the extent of the renovation plans and the cutting of hundreds of trees. The administration plans to close the course and park on Nov. 15 to build a championship-level course.
A temporary bars removing or damaging more trees and requires 10 days' written notice before any "irreparable modification" of the course. Both sides must respond in writing to the plan by Friday, when the next hearing is set. Reyes announced a formal investigation at an Oct. 30 hearing.
- 430 treescut down by the government on Oct. 10, according to the Epoch TimesThe Epoch Times
- 15 monthshow long Trump said the park would be closed during workYahoo News
- 10 days' noticewritten notice required before any irreparable modification of the courseYahoo News
- Nov. 15planned closure of the course and park, and start of constructionYahoo News
Three sides of the story
8 news outlets reported this
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Liberal5 outlets
The judge's inquiry into whether officials lied
The Guardian, The Independent and Yahoo News, which runs an Associated Press report, lead with Judge Ana Reyes' plan to appoint Jessie Liu to investigate whether lawyers and administration officials misled her. All three recall that Reyes earlier rejected plaintiffs' motions because she trusted government attorneys. All three also quote Georgetown law professor David Super, who says a formal investigation "can be a precursor to holding someone in contempt of court."
The Independent and Yahoo add that administration officials could not confirm the plans under questioning before the Justice Department filed notice on Oct. 28 that they were real, and that Liu now works at her own law firm. The Guardian ends with a separate item on Trump's Saturday social media post ordering the Justice Department to "look into" Democrats he said were threatening administration people with .
In the New York Times account, Reyes put in writing her intent to select a former Washington US attorney for an inquiry into whether the court was misled over changes to the East Potomac Golf Links.
- The Guardian: Judge to appoint special master to determine whether Trump lawyers purposely misled her over golf course
- The Independent: Former federal prosecutor set to probe whether Trump officials misled court in golf course case
- Yahoo News: Judge wants to know if Trump officials lied about plans for his D.C. golf course
Center1 outlet
Judge seeks ex-prosecutor to probe government's candor
The Seattle Times carries an Associated Press report whose headline says the judge wants a former US attorney to look into whether the government misled her in the Trump golf case. It begins with Reyes' Saturday statement and explains how Liu supervised some cases sent to her office by then- Robert Mueller, her exit from consideration as associate and her current work at her own law practice. The report notes the Nov. 15 closure plan, the injunction on tree removal, and Friday's written responses and hearing.
It recounts how Trump's Truth Social posts, which began Oct. 18, led to a "tense dynamic" in court when administration officials could not confirm the plans. It also quotes Super, who says the judge "doesn't have the time to keep holding long, complex hearings."
Conservative2 outlets
Timeline of what lawyers told court versus Trump
The Epoch Times describes Reyes turning to "a former Trump-selected federal prosecutor" to examine whether his administration's lawyers misled the court. It says the inquiry centers on the government's October claim to the court that no final plan existed, though Trump posted an image of the project shortly afterward. Its report builds a timeline: 430 trees cut on Oct. 10, Reyes' Oct. 13 halt, the government's Oct. 16 statement that "there is no final agency action," and Trump's Oct. 18 Truth Social post naming architect Tom Fazio.
It quotes Trump at length on hosting events like the U.S. Open and says the court then ordered the government to clarify its position. The Washington Times reports the judge is seeking a former US attorney to probe whether lawyers and administration officials purposefully misled her.
Which side made the stronger case?
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All sources: 8 articles from 8 outlets
Liberal (5)
- PBS NewsHour: Judge wants former U.S. attorney to investigate whether the government misled her in Trump golf case
- The Guardian: Judge to appoint special master to determine whether Trump lawyers purposely misled her over golf course
- The Independent: Former federal prosecutor set to probe whether Trump officials misled court in golf course case
- Yahoo News: Judge wants to know if Trump officials lied about plans for his D.C. golf course
Center (1)
- The Seattle Times: Judge wants former US attorney to investigate whether the government misled her in Trump golf case
Conservative (2)
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