Judge Ana Reyes probes Justice Department after $400 million seawall estimate

Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. told a federal court on Friday that repairing the crumbling seawall at East Potomac Park will cost between $150 million and $400 million. The figure emerged during a four-hour hearing where District Judge Ana Reyes examined the timing of the Trump administration's plans to close the D.C. golf course.

Reyes opened the session by citing D.C. Bar Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3. The rule prohibits lawyers from knowingly making or failing to correct false statements to the court. She asked Woodward if he would like to correct any prior testimony. Woodward said, “Not to my knowledge,” noting that he had not read every transcript in the case. Reyes responded, “I bet you do.”

The inquiry stems from a Wednesday filing where government attorneys admitted a plan exists to transform the municipal course into a championship-level venue. The administration will close the park south of Buckeye Drive on or before November 15. This closure includes the golf course and much of the surrounding three-mile perimeter loop used by runners and cyclists.

The National Park Service entered a new lease with the National Links Trust on Wednesday. Under the agreement, the nonprofit will continue operating D.C.'s other two municipal courses for 50 years. It will cease operations at East Potomac as of close of business on or before November 15. The government submitted renovation plans to the National Capital Planning Commission for review on Friday.

Reyes questioned whether officials had been truthful when they told the court last Monday that they were unaware of the closure. Trump had posted the news on Truth Social that same morning. Woodward stated that the submission to the planning commission had been in the works for several weeks. Reyes noted that no one from the government mentioned this during previous hearings, including one that lasted seven hours.

The judge announced she would open a formal inquiry into whether agency officials and attorneys made misrepresentations to the court. She said the probe may be led by a special master with full investigatory powers. If the government rejects that officer, Reyes will conduct the inquiry herself. She stressed that opening an investigation does not mean the court has found evidence of professional violations.

The administration cites a deteriorating seawall as a safety hazard. Acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron stated that large sections of the adjacent sidewalk are underwater twice daily. She said the erosion has caused voids in the sidewalk and damage to trees. Trump posted on social media that golf balls have hit unexpecting golfers, including a White House staffer who was hit in the chest.

Reyes ordered the government to preserve all relevant documents so the court can conduct an inquiry without the loss of evidence. She also required the administration to provide 10 days' written notice before closing or irreversibly modifying the park. Rep. Jared Huffman sent a letter to appropriations leaders asking them to block federal money for the seawall project. He proposed language to prevent funds from being used to redesign or expand the golf course.