Judge Criticizes Government Over Trump’s Golf Course Plans

During a heated hearing, Judge Ana C. Reyes criticized the government over its denials regarding President Trump’s plans to renovate the East Potomac Golf Course without proper approval. The judge demanded more details from the Justice Department about potential construction.

On Sunday, President Trump reviewed plans for his proposed renovation of the golf course. Judge Reyes, of the Federal District Court in Washington, questioned Michael Robertson, a government lawyer, about the timeline and intent of the president’s efforts to rapidly initiate work on transforming the golf links. Robertson struggled to provide specific answers.

This scenario represents the latest in a series of conflicts between federal judges and the Trump administration concerning the president’s second-term actions aimed at altering parts of Washington. In the hearing, Judge Reyes compared these activities to other occasions where Mr. Trump had discreetly accelerated construction projects, such as the ballroom intended to replace the East Wing of the White House.

I’m not going to have the president of the United States and the secretary of interior say something in the public — say something very concrete in public — and then come in here in court and say that what they’re saying isn’t actually what they’re saying,

she stated.

Judge Reyes dismissed the government’s claims that the project was not advancing, noting that Mr. Trump seemed to be meticulously planning to redesign the limited expanse of land into a luxurious venue suitable for professional tournaments.