# Judge Names Special Master to Investigate Trump Admin's Alleged Ethical Violations

> U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes appoints Jessie K. Liu as special master to assess whether DOJ or Trump administration officials lied about golf course plans.
- Title: Judge Names Special Master to Investigate Trump Admin's…
- Summary: U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes appoints Jessie K. Liu as special master to assess whether DOJ or Trump administration officials lied about golf course plans.
- Keywords: u.s. district judge ana reyes, jessie k. liu, trump administration, doj, department of the interior, east potomac golf course, golf course litigation, ethical violations, special master, legal dispute, Law & Crime
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/an-ethics-inquiry-judge-in-golf-course-case-names-proposed-special-master-to-assess-whether-doj-or-other-trump-admin-officials-lied-and-committed-ethical-violations
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: u.s. district judge ana reyes, jessie k. liu, trump administration, doj, department of the interior, east potomac golf course, golf course litigation, ethical violations, special master, legal dispute, crime, news
## Judge appoints special master
U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes names Jessie K. Liu as special master to investigate whether Trump administration attorneys committed ethical violations during golf course litigation.
## Liu's background
Jessie K. Liu served as U.S. Attorney for District of Columbia from 2017 to 2020 and previously as an assistant U.S. attorney.
## Special master's role
The special master will assess whether DOJ or other Trump administration officials lied about plans to build a golf course at East Potomac Park.
## Timeline of dispute
The lawsuit began in February over Trump's plans to build a championship-style golf course at East Potomac Park, which is part of a federal park.
## Judge's initial resistance
Judge Reyes initially resisted relief for plaintiffs, stating she did not want to be the overseer of Parks and Recreation.
## Tree removal incident
The Interior Department removed 529 trees from the golf course in early October, which earned the judge's ire and led to a freeze on further construction.
## Judge's questioning
Reyes pressed DOJ and DOI attorneys about whether they were candid with the court regarding the tree removal and Trump's social media posts.
## Nov 15 deadline
The government plans to close East Potomac Park on Nov 15, in line with the preliminary injunction's requirements.
## Government's response
High-ranking DOJ attorney Stanley Woodward stated the plan was not in its final stages while admitting officials were not apprised of all plans.
## Farewell photos
Former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia's farewell photos revealed aspects of secret plans to eliminate park land for the golf course.
## Formal plans filed
The formal plans were filed on Oct 30 and track with Zacharia's revelations, showing the park's bike path becoming part of the golf course.
## Deadline for response
The parties have until Nov 13 to file motions related to the proposed special master.
## Potential consequences
If the court appoints Liu, it will enter a detailed order specifying her role and authority.
## Government's stance
The government may soon have another person to answer to as the ethics inquiry proceeds.
## Key takeaway

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes appoints Jessie K. Liu to investigate whether Trump administration lawyers committed ethical violations during golf course litigation.